A day after Army in Kashmir said it will continue operation against militants, Fidayeen attackers in a pre-dawn raid stormed an army base in Chowkibal area of frontier Kupwara and killed two officers and one trooper.
Sources said two Fidayeen attackers stormed army camp in Panzgam village of Chowkibal at around 5:30 am and engaged soldiers in an intense gunfight. In the ensuing firefight, the army lost a Captain, a JCO and a soldier while nine other troopers were injured. Sources said that the army’s Quick Reaction Team (QRT) managed to gun down two attackers.
The slain have been identified as Captain Ayush Yadav, Subedar Bhoop Singh Gujjar, and Naik Bhoota Venkata. The injured soldiers were airlifted to Base Hospital in Srinagar and they are being treated upon by doctors. Sources said the identity of the militants is being ascertained but added that they could be associated with Jaish-e-Muhammad. No militant outfit claimed responsibility for the attack.
This is the first Fidayeen attack the year 2017 in Kashmir Valley. The attack came just a day after Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen JS Sandhu said that the army will continue operations against militants and will kill them so that there is no increase in militancy.