Uri attack exposes Pak's desperate attempt to ensure turmoil in valley continues: Defence expert

Defense expert Brigadier (Retd.) Anil Gupta today said that Pakistan despite all criticism is hell bent upon encouraging terrorism inside Kashmir, adding the attack on 12th brigade headquarters at Uri in Baramulla by the fidayeens clearly depicts Islamabad's desperate attempt to ensure that the current turmoil in the valley is not over.

Brigadier (Retd.) Gupta also wondered as to how the terrorists managed to infiltrate despite the high alert and counter infiltration grid being strengthened by the Army.

"The fidayeens have been able to enter the army camp, which is not good. But, however, the details are not yet available. I am not going to comment as to how it has happened. But one thing is very sure that Pakistan has not changed its mind," Brigadier (Retd.) Gupta said.

"Despite all problems which Pakistan is having and all the criticism it is facing from the world, it is hell bent upon encouraging terrorism inside Kashmir. And this latest act of the fidayeens is the desperate attempt by Pakistan to ensure that the current turmoil in Kashmir does not end and security forces are tied down in the respective camps," he added while asserting that Pakistan is making desperate attempts to ensure that this turmoil in Kashmir continues.

Meanwhile, another defence expert Major General (Retd.) P.K. Sehgal on his part expressed hope that the terrorists would be liquidated within few hours.

"There has been definitely a fore power and some casualness in some security elements somewhere, which has been taken advantage of by the fidayeens," Major General (Retd.) Sehgal said.

"I wish one of them is caught alive so that we get to know the modus operandi from where exactly they came," he added.

The Indian Army has gunned down all four terrorists, who had attacked the Army Brigade's headquarters in Uri this morning. At least 17 soldiers have been killed in the gun battle at the base, which is around 100 km from state capital Srinagar.

Combing operations are currently underway to ensure no untoward element still persists in the Army perimeters.

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh will visit Kashmir today in wake of the attack, while Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will visit Srinagar to take stock of the situation.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has instructed Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials to closely monitor the situation in the valley.

The Home Minister is scheduled to chair a high-level security meeting at his official residence in the national capital this afternoon to take stock of the present situation in the valley in wake of the attack.

"Keeping the situation of Jammu and Kashmir in mind and in the wake of terror attack in Uri, I have postponed my visits to Russia and the USA . Spoke to Governor & CM of Jammu & Kashmir regarding the terror attack in Uri. They have apprised me of the security situation in the state," he said in a series of tweets.

Senior MHA and Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials are expected to be present in the meeting.

The Home Minister has postponed his scheduled visit to Russia and the United States.

The entire town has been sealed and security on the vital roads connecting the Line of Control has been beefed up.

The Army sent three choppers from army's 19 divisional headquarters in Baramulla to Uri.

Para Commando troops have been deployed in the conflict zone to fortify the response by the defence.