Baramulla attackers

While India has blamed Pakistan-based terrorists for the strike, Islamabad has denied the charges.

North Kashmir DIG Uttam Chand told HT that the militants involved in the Baramulla attack used the large population near the camp as “shield” to escape under the cover of darknes. He said forces could not retaliate heavily as it would have otherwise caused civilian casualties.

The BSF company deployed in Baramulla shares the 46 RR headquarters with the army. At the time of attack both BSF and army men were on guard.

“A massive combing operation is on to nab the attackers,” said Vikas Chandra, the BSF’s inspector general in Srinagar.

Reports said the BSF also foiled an infiltration attempt by a group of 8-10 militants near the Chakri border out post (BoP), 30 km from Gurdaspur in Punjab. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s top diplomat Sartaj Aziz said the NSAs of both countries have spoken to reduce hostilities along the LoC.

A home ministry spokesperson in New Delhi confirmed the telephonic discussion.

Aziz, the adviser to prime minister on foreign affairs, told Geo.tv that Pakistan wants to “reduce tensions on LoC”, and added Pakistani NSA Nasser Janjua and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval have stressed the need to establish contact.

Aziz, however, alleged that India was escalating tensions with Pakistan “to deflect the attention of the world from Kashmir issue”.

Aziz’s comments came even as India started moving heavy artillery guns close to LoC.

“We have been anticipating that they will open mortar fire on our posts and forward villages on the ridge. Amid escalating tensions with a rogue and deceitful country like Pakistan where the army is in charge, we have to be cautious and well prepared. So, we moved artillery guns close to the border,” a defence source said.