Three militants and an ASI of the Border Security Force (BSF), were killed when armed militants attacked their camp in Humhama near the outskirts of Srinagar City. The camp falls close to the drop gate of Sheikh ul Alam International Airport, police said.

The gunfight which started in the wee hours of Tuesday at 4:30 am ended in the afternoon with the killing of third militant who had taken position in Officers mess in the BSF camp near Gogoland in Humhama in Srinagar.

Four BSF personnel were injured in the attack. The BSF man who got killed was identified as BK Yadav. A policeman guarding the residence of a retired police officer nearby sustained superficial injuries due to a stray bullet, the official said.

According to the police officials the attack was effectively repulsed in the ‘first go itself and one of the terrorist was killed at that very moment.’

Speaking at a media briefing after the encounter, IG Kashmir range Munir Khan said, “Taking advantage of darkness two militants managed to sneak in the camp which was housing administration block of BSF and senior officers’ (SOs) mess.”

Police said that immediately after the attack, a Quick Response Team (QRT) of BSF started the reaction and operation to eliminate the attackers. They said that QRTs were joined by the CRPF and personnel of Budgam police while as personnel of 53RR laid the outer cordon.

“The search was started for the remaining terrorists who had sneaked in and both of them were eliminated after a brief gunfight,” Khan said.

The police said that the BSF troops initially repulsed this attack in a very effective manner. “That is why the intention of the terrorists to cause immediate damage to the BSF was foiled.”

The police Chief said that the operation could have been completed quickly by using the aerial weapons but was avoided to avoid any collateral damage.

“In order to avoid the collateral damage, aerial weapons were not used and touchwood there was no collateral damage during the operation,” Khan added.

Meanwhile, the police confirmed that the Jaish-e-Muhmmad outfit was behind the attack.

“As far as responsibility of the group is concerned, we have no doubt that it is the JeM and the militants who have been eliminated are from the Jaish group,” IG said.

Khan said that it was the same group, three of which were killed in a fidayeen attack in Pulwama. The police said that the group had infiltrated in the month of July-August from Shakergud side of the LoC.

“It was a big group which had infiltrated and they are now left with 6-7 guys whom we are looking for,” Khan said.

He said JeM is a threat as they believe in surprise fidayeen attacks. “We will have to deal with them separately,” said Khan, adding such attacks will continue to happen as long as Pakistan is our neighbour.

Hesaid that they have started acting against the cardes of JeM after identifying the over ground workers (OGW) in the valley.

“The OGW of Jaish has been identified properly and we have started acting against them,” Khan said.

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