'J-K militant attacks aimed at derailing Manmohan-Sharif talks': Omar Abdullah

Condemning Thursday's twin terror strikes in Kathua and Samba Districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the objective behind the strike was to derail the proposed meeting between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif.

"I would like to condemn this attack that took place this morning and which is presently ongoing. I express my sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones in this attack," said Abdullah.

"The aim of these terrorists is to derail the proposed dialogue between the Indian Prime Minister and the Pakistan Prime Minister," he added.

Abdullah said clearly there will be political pressure on Prime Minister Singh not to go forward in the dialogue process.

"It is for the Prime Minister and his advisors to take care on how to go ahead with this matter. But, we are committed to a peaceful solution to the matters concerned to the state," he added.

The chief minister said he has so far heard reports that 12 have been killed.

"The encounter is still going on in the army camp (in Samba)," he said.

The attack comes a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left for the U.S. yesterday, where he is scheduled to meet his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif on Sunday for talks.

Today's attack is seen as a bid to derail the meeting between the two sides.

In a major attack, the militants have killed at least 12 people in a police station and an army cantonment in Jammu and Kashmir this morning.

Over a dozen people are injured and more casualties are feared.

The militants first attacked a police station in Hiranagar of Kathua district. According to reports, six policemen and three civilians have been killed in the attack on the police station.

The militants later intercepted a truck on the highway, boarded it and forced its driver to move towards Jammu. The militants stopped the vehicle near the gate of an army camp in Samba and attacked the camp.

The militants started firing inside the army area, initiating the encounter with the security personnel.

A gun-battle is still on. Further details are awaited.