As it happened: 3 militants killed near Rashtriya Rifles camp in J-K’s Handwara

Hindustan Times | By, Srinagar
Oct 06, 2016 12:34 PM IST

Militants attacked an army camp at Langate in Handwara, Kupwara district, on Thursday morning, firing at the Rashtriya Rifles camp for 20 minutes before fleeing.

Security forces engaged militants near a paramilitary camp at Langate in Handwara, Kupwara district, after militants opened fire on the camp on Thursday morning.

The army camp at Uri that was attacked on September 18. Militants struck again, this time in Kupwara district’s Handwara town.(PTI)
The army camp at Uri that was attacked on September 18. Militants struck again, this time in Kupwara district’s Handwara town.(PTI)

Militants attacked around 6 am, firing at a Rashtriya Rifles camp for over 20 minutes before fleeing the spot. The area was cordoned off and search operations were launched, leading to an encounter in a nearby apple orchard.

The militants had reportedly tried to breach a perimeter fence but were pushed back.

Live updates:

  • 7.30am: Firing resumes outside the Rashtriya Rifles camp at Langate.
  • 7am: No casualties reported yet. Firing dies down at the paramilitary camp. Militants reportedly flee the spot.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army said that three infiltration bids along the Line of Control had been foiled on Wednesday night. Militants made two bids in Naugam sector and one in Rampur sector, assisted by Pakistani posts.

The attack at Langate is the second such offensive on a military camp since the fatal September 18 attack on an Uri army camp killed 19 soldiers -- 18 died on that day while one more soldier succumbed to his injuries almost a fortnight later.

Militants struck again on October 2 in northern Kashmir’s Baramullah, killing one Border Security Force jawan. At least six militants are believed to have launched the attack.

India blames Pakistan for sponsoring the militants who have been carrying out the border incursions, a charge that has led to frosty relations between the two countries, and a breakdown in diplomatic ties.

Read | India calls Pak ‘epicentre of terror’, asks it to ‘abandon quest’ of Kashmir

On September 29, the Indian army announced that it had carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control, damaging seven militant launchpads. The army operation was largely seen as a response to the Uri attack.

(With inputs from agencies)

For more on the India-Pakistan tensions, click here.

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Chief of bureau of HT at Srinagar, Toufiq has been covering the volatile state of Kashmir for the past seven years. Was working as special correspondent in Indian Express in New Delhi, covering health and wellness. Has done human interest stories from across the country for almost a decade.

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