Destroy camps too, ultras told
4 militants killed in bid to torch camp
Terror outfits operating in Kashmir have been directed to not only kill security personnel, but also destroy their camps and facilities. This seems to be the new mandate given to subversive elements as has been revealed during preliminary investigations into the fidayeen (suicide) attack on CRPF’s Sumbal camp in Bandipora in the wee hours of Monday.
“The heavily armed militants tried to enter the 45 Battalion headquarters of the CRPF at Sumbal in Bandipore district after cutting the wire fencing and shooting at the sentry, officials said. They also lobbed several hand grenades to force their entry into the camp at around 4.10 am, security forces said.
Home ministry sources said they were surprised that the four heavily armed militants were carrying large quantity of petrol and other high inflammable material, which clearly shows their intention was to destroy not only the CRPF camp, but also an adjoining facility of the Jammu & Kashmir police. It was certain, sources added, that the attack was carried out by a module of the Lashkar-e-Tayeeba and while all four militants were killed no casualties were reported on part of the security forces.
In wake of revelations made in course of attack on the CRPF camp it has been decided that all facilities of security forces across Kashmir would better equipped to deal with instances of fire by installing high powered extinguishers and water tankers. Home minister Rajnath Singh, who complemented the CRPF for the operation, said that the militants had planned a prolonged siege and extensive damage as they were carrying dry rations.
The militants were armed with sophisticated weapons including AK-47 rifles, grenades and grenade launchers.
Home ministry could hand over the case to the NIA for further probe, sources said.
Mr Singh said it was inspiring to see the CRPF men stay awake all night to maintain vigil. He praised the role of J&K police that promptly responded in providing assistance to CRPF personnel in eliminating the four militants.
Probes have showed that militants initially gained entry to the CRPF camp by cutting the barbed wire fencing and shooting at the guards on patrolling duty.
Senior security officials said that all camps and facilities of paramilitary forces, Army and the state police have been put on high alert as there was specific intelligence about militants being desperate to carry out a big terror attack on the forces following a sustained operation against militants across the Valley, in which as many as 14 have been killed, including chief of Hizbul Mujahideen Sabzar Bhat, have been killed in the past few days.
“While our security personnel are maintaining high vigil at all camps, what is surprising is that this module of terrorists, who appear to be from Pakistan, was carrying huge quantity of petrol and other inflammable material. This shows a tactical shift in their strategy as the intention of militants is not to just kill our troops, but destroy our camps and facilities. Now that the Bandipora attack has thrown up a new aspect, adequate preventive measures would be put in place,” a senior security official said.