 "10 reported dead in suspected terror attack in Punjab's Gurdaspur district; one militant killed")
Suspected terrorists wearing Army uniforms opened fire at a bus and attacked a police station in Gurdaspur district early today leaving at least 10 dead and several persons injured. Among the dead were six civilians and two police home guards.
Media reports also state that one militant has been killed while a Punjab Special Service Group (SSG) jawan has sustained injuries in the ongoing operations.
Security has been enhanced across Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir in the wake of the shootings, as well as at North and South Blocks in New Delhi, which are home to most ministries.
The assailants came in a car and opened fire at a moving bus which was coming to Punjab from Jammu and Kashmir on the Amritsar-Pathankot highway. Four passengers who were injured have been hospitalised, SSP Gurdaspur Gurpreet Singh said.
The attackers then entered the Dinanagar police station and opened fire at police personnel. Three persons were injured there, including Dinanagar SHO Mukhtiar Singh, he said.
Security forces and the attackers have been exchanging fire for several hours after the incident, he added.
The area has been cordoned off and additional forces are being rushed to Gurdaspur. Army commandos and a Quick Response Team (QRT) have also been called in. Union Home Secretary L C Goyal has spoken to Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, and is monitoring the situation.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar stated that Special Forces have been deployed in Gurdaspur and the counter insurgency forces are already there
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has reportedly discussed the situation with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and is said to have assured assistance from the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly meeting with Parrikar, Arun Jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has condemned the attack, saying his prayers were with the families of those of who lost their lives in the attack.
Meanwhile, union minister Kiren Rijiju said that he has spoken to the Punjab Police chief who told him that "no one has been taken hostage".
"...since the attacks are really serious, we can't reveal any data as of now as the operation is on," Rijiju told the media. "All the security forces have been alerted. Everyone is on alert. If needed anyone and everyone will be rushed to the spot," he said.
Jitendra Singh, minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, said, "This is a zone which has been vulnerable for quite some time. There have been reports of Pakistani infiltration earlier also."
He however added that the ministry of home affairs has taken note of it and the "government of India is capable enough to deal with such situation".
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal described the attack as "cowardly". "We strongly condemn cowardly attack on innocent people in Punjab," Kejriwal tweeted.
Defence matters expert S R Sinho said the suspected terror attack may have taken place with the aim of attacking Amarnath yatris.
Five live bombs have been recovered from the Pathankot-Gurdaspur railway track, police said. The bombs were wired to the railway track at a small bridge near Parmanand railway station, about 5 km from Dinanagar.