At least one soldier killed after terrorists opened fire on military base in Jammu; search operations underway

Srinagar: A soldier was killed on Monday when terrorists fired from a long distance at Sunjwan military station in Jammu city.

According to defense spokesman Lt. Col. Suneel Bartwal, the shots were fired from a distance between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m.

One soldier was seriously injured in the attack and was immediately taken to a hospital, reports said. However, the soldier succumbed to his injuries soon after.

The Sunjwan military base, one of the largest in the region, has been sealed off to restrict movement and a special unit has been deployed to assist in search operations.

In early February 2018, Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists attacked the Sunjawan military camp, killing six soldiers, one civilian and three terrorists. Around 20 people, including soldiers and civilians, were injured in the attack.

The latest incident is a cause of concern for security agencies, especially as the Union Territory is set to hold its first general election in a decade. The rise in terror attacks in the Jammu region is worrying as over 52 security personnel have been killed in encounters with terrorists since 2021.

According to sources, a group of around 40-50 terrorists who have infiltrated the Jammu region in the last few years are equipped with modern weapons, including American-made M4 rifles, night vision goggles, telescopic lenses and encrypted radios. They usually operate in small units of 3-5 people.