Sunjwan terror attack: Why Army had to be extra cautious while clearing the camp

JAMMU: While operations are underway to pin down terrorists who are holed up in Sunjwan Army camp in Jammu, security forces are being extra cautious in clearing the camp to conduct the search. The Army has been extra careful due to the presence of several women and children who were in the housing colony when the armed terrorists attacked the camp on Saturday morning.

However, the Army has clearly said that there is no hostage crisis at the camp and 19 of the 26 flats have been evacuated while operations are on to evacuate the rest as well. "Due to the presence of women and children in the housing colony, the operations are being progressed cautiously to minimise casualties," Army said in a statement.

Two Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) have been killed and six others have been injured in the attack. The Army, however, has confirmed the death of one JCO. A Colonel along with three women and children are among those who have suffered injuries. 

Briefing the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Saturday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri said Subedar Madanlal Chowdhary and Subedar Mohammed Ashraf Mir have been killed in the attack.

While the minister did not specify who carried out the attack, officials said Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were behind the terror strike. 

The exact number of terrorists is not known but security forces as expecting that four to five terrorists to be holed up at the camp. Terrorists entered from the rear side of Sunjwan Army camp where family quarters are located. The attackers have been isolated and cornered in one of the family quarters, police confirmed.

Security forces and police have cordoned off the area around the Sunjwan Army camp which falls under the first Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 36 Brigade. Schools in the entire area around the camp were shut as a precautionary measure and a high alert has been sounded in the city.

Intelligence inputs had warned of an attack on the Army or security establishment by Jaish-e-Mohammed in view of the death anniversary of Afzal Guru who was hanged on February 9, 2013.