Asserting that the terrorists responsible for the attack on army and the Border Security Force (BSF) camps in Baramulla fled the spot using the dark and heavy civilian population as a shield, the police on Monday claimed that the security forces could not retaliate in a heavy manner fearing civilian casualties.
Briefing the media here, district Senior Superintendent of Police Imtiaz Hussain said that an investigation is underway to ascertain which outfit the terrorists belonged to.
"There were around three-four terrorists. They attacked a BSF sentry post and then both the army and the BSF responded in kind, which is why the terrorists were not able to enter the army camp next. But one BSF jawan was killed and another injured during the operation," he said.
However, he admitted a heavy response could not be given as the area surrounding the camps were heavily populated by civilians, and they could not risk any casualties.
"There is a lot of civilian population around the camps, which is why the security forces were not able to respond in a heavy manner. Otherwise there would have been a lot of civilian casualties. Taking advantage of the dark and using civilians as shield, the terrorists ran off," Hussain said.
IG BSF, Punjab Frontier Anil Paliwal has said today that an alert has been sounded on the border in the wake of the Baramulla attack and the following ceasefire violation in Poonch, assuring that the situation is under control.
Meanwhile, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the current situation at the Line of Control (LoC).
Doval also reportedly briefed the Prime Minister about the preparedness of the security forces and the army troops.
Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju has assured that Indian security forces are capable of dealing with the situation, while Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh asserted that he had faith in the army to give a befitting reply.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the next course of action with the three service chiefs.
Also, Pakistan violated ceasefire in Shahpur along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir today.
Heavy mortar shelling and firing was reported from the Pakistani side in Poonch.
The fresh attack comes just after terrorists attacked in defence camps in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, in which a BSF personnel was killed.
The terrorists attacked near a camp of the 46 Rashtriya Rifles in Baramulla late on Sunday night.
The terrorists, whose numbers are still unknown, tried to enter the camp through a public park near it, but failed to breach the security.
Earlier, Pakistan targeted Indian posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor tehsil late Sunday evening.
Pakistan has stepped up cross-border firing after the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
