5 CRPF jawans killed, two hurt in J-K encounter

Today’s attack comes close on the heels of Sunday’s incident in which a CRPF jawan in Baramulla shot seven of his colleagues, before killing himself. This is the fourth suicide attack in the Valley since July and the CRPF has borne the brunt since taking over counter-insurgency operations from the BSF — losing 22 jawans, including three officers.

Considered a ‘‘free zone’’ for foreign militants and the indigenous Hizbul Mujahideen till the early 90s, Sopre once again is witnessing a surge in militant activities. ‘‘The fidayeen attack implies they are trying hard to get a toehold in the town again,’’ said an official.

Sopore’s calm was broken around 5.45 am today when a militant struck at the the District Institute of Education Training centre, housing the 16 CRPF batallion and Special Operations Group of Police. Police sources said the militant snatched away a light machine gun from a sentry and killed him on the spot. He then ran towards the building, firing indiscriminately at the jawans, before hiding in one of the 20-odd rooms of the building.

The swift action took the inmates by surprise, who thought they had been taken hostage. It was hours later that the BSF and Rashtriya Rifles personnel rescued them. Iqbal Ahmad, one of the rescued jawans, said he and his colleagues had to jump out of the building to avoid a grenade blast. ‘‘There was confusion all around in the camp. We did not know how many militants had entered,’’ he said. CRPF DIG R.P. Singh, who was supervising the operation, said the troops have combed the upper storey and the militant was possibly hiding in the ground floor.

Raja Ejaz Ali, DIG (Baramulla), said they have called off the opeartion till morning to avoid taking risks — the camp is located in the midst of several important government installations like the Degree College, Sopore, the telephone exchange and town hall.