Terrorists attacked the Border Security Forces 182 battalion camp near Srinagar airport in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. Three militants were killed in the gunbattle that is raging near the airport, forcing brief suspension of air traffic and closure of schools in the vicinity.
A police official said that a group of militants, whose exact number could not be known immediately, stormed the BSF camp located just outside the main gate of the high-security Srinagar International Airport at 4.00 am.
Two militants have been killed so far while a BSF jawan identified as B K Yadav laid down his life while battling the attackers, officials said in the morning. Another militant was gunned down after a long gunbattle till around 2:00 PM.
Three other BSF personnel were injured in the firefight while a policeman guarding the residence of a retired police officer nearby sustained superficial injuries due to a stray bullet, the official said.
Intermittent exchange of firing was going on, he added.
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Airport operations were suspended in the morning due to the gunfight but later resumed as security forces managed to limit the action around the building where the militants are holed up.
“Normal flight operations have resumed and passengers were boarding flights,” said Director, Airport Authority of India, Srinagar, Sharad Kumar.The 182 battalion is entrusted with security of runway of the Srinagar airport.
Adjacent to the camp is the old Srinagar air field which is been run by the Indian Air force. The area also houses training centres of the BSF and CRPF. Schools in the vicinity of the airport have been closed.
Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack.A caller identifying himself as spokesman of the outfit told local news gathering agencies that Jaish militants carried out the attack.
Here are the live updates:
#UPDATE J&K BSF camp attack: Three militants killed. Operation ends, combing operation underway
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
#SrinagarTerrorAttack Operation underway at BSF 182 battalion camp (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/5c5wJBRjVV
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
#11:20 AM: Security forces responded promptly to Srinagar Terror Attack & ensured that there is no collateral damage to civilians: MoS PMO Jitendra Singh
#WATCH Heavy firing at BSF 182 battalion camp, operation underway. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) #SrinagarTerrorAttack pic.twitter.com/MwhIeHdzhg
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
#SrinagarTerrorAttack: One BSF personnel lost his life, 2 terrorists killed. Operation underway. (Visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/DWbPmZCk24
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
#10:30 AM: One ASI of BSF succumbed to his injuries
#10:27 AM: Operations resume at Srinagar airport. AirAsia flight lands
#10:11 AM: Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility for the attack
#10:09 AM: Ministry of Home Affairs update:
2 terrorists killed in total. 1 still holed up inside. Daily Security review meeting may be in the afternoon. Srinagar attack may be discussed there
#9:32 AM: Another terrorist gunned down during ops at a building inside BSF camp near Srinagar Airport. Total 2 terrorists killed. Ops on.
#9:15 AM: Total three BSF jawans and a policeman were injured. Firing is ongoing: BSF officials
#8:39 AM: Passengers now allowed to enter Srinagar Airport after security check to avoid inconvenience. However, the decision of resuming air traffic to be taken by Airports Authority of India and concerned airlines.
#8:36 AM: After terrorist attack near Srinagar airport, airports in metro cities have been put on high alert.
#8:29 AM: Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called a high level meeting at 10.30 am to discuss J&K issue.
#8:20 AM: Passengers allowed to move towards airport
#8:14 AM: In view of terrorist attack on BSF camp in Srinagar, Kashmir Valley School, which is in vicinity of the area, will remain closed.
#8:12 AM: What we know so far:
-3-4 terrorist holed up inside BSF camp
-1 fidayeen shot down
-3 BSF troopers injured
-Srinagar airport shutdown, taken over by CRPF
#8:11 AM: Injured are being evacuated; terrorists isolated; flush out drills in progress with precision: Official statement
#7:50 AM: The troops of CRPF, 53RR, BSF and SOG zonal QAT CRPF have placed a cordon around the building. Intermittent firing on. IG SNR CRPF and senior officials of SFs are on the spot. Update follows - Official statement
#7:45 AM: Srinagar Airport shut due to ongoing encounter/operation. No flight operation till security clearance. Airport under CRPF security: CRPF
#7:22 AM: Morning flights cancelled at Srinagar Airport following the attack
#Visuals from the vicinity of Srinagar Airport; passengers stranded as way to the airport has been closed after attack on BSF camp nearby. pic.twitter.com/95hK6SsHAb
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
#7:19 AM: Ministry of Home Affairs statement on terrorist attack on BSF camp
MHA. As per BSF Control Room, today(03.10.2017) at about 0415, a group of 2-3 militants carried attack on BSF camp of 182 Bn BSF HQ near airport Srinagar, u/PS- Hamaama, district- Budgam, J&K. In this incident, 03 jawans got injured. In the retaliatory action by the troops, 01 Fidayeen also killed. The encounter is in progress. Details awaited.
#7:10 AM: A total of 3 BSF troopers injured in attack on campus of BSF's 182 battalion in Srinagar
#7:00 AM: Official confirmation of 1 terrorist death in, security forces suspect 3-4 terrorists involved in attack, ops on
#6:37 AM: At least 25 blasts were heard when the attack began: NN reporter in Srinagar
#6:36 AM: Intermittent firing is still on, flushing out efforts continue
#6:34 AM: Following attack on BSF camp near Srinagar Airport, no employee or passenger or vehicle is being allowed to go towards the Airport.
#6:25 AM: Sources say that the security forces are engaged in a gunfight with the terrorists. Two BSF troopers have been injured.
Suicide attack at BSF 182 battalion camp near Srinagar airport. More details awaited. (visuals deferred) pic.twitter.com/8m2lZteUAQ
— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2017
#6:11 AM: The firing seems to have stopped now, no gunfire can be heard now. Sources say that a terrorist has been shot dead, but no official confirmation has come in yet
#6:11 AM: Several bomb blasts were heard in the early morning hours before firing began
The region under attack is a high-security zone and is heavily guarded at all times. Airport operations continue as usual for now.
The remaining terrorists are holed up inside the building campus of the 182nd Battalion camp, BSF officials said.The attack comes days after the first anniversary of the deadly Uri attacks, which left 19 soldiers and 4 attackers dead. The last year's attack, which caused India to retaliate with surgical strike, was also carried out at 4 AM by the terrorists.
(With inputs from PTI)