Nagrota terror attack: Army Chief briefs PM Modi, Parrikar

Indian Army Chief of Staff General Dalbir Singh briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on the deadly terrorist attack on an army artillery unit in Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir today, in which seven defence personnel lost their lives.

Earlier today, two Indian Army officers and five jawans were killed in the attack, where a group of heavily armed terrorists disguised in police uniforms targeted an army unit located three kilometres from the Corps Headquarters.

The terrorists forced their entry into the Officers Mess complex by throwing grenades and firing at the sentries, the Army said in a statement.

In the initial counter action, one officer and three soldiers lost their lives. Following which, the terrorists entered two building which were occupied by families, Officers and men.

This led to a hostage like situation but it was quickly contained and thereafter, in a deliberate operation all were successfully rescued, which included 12 soldiers, two ladies and two children.

However, in this rescue attempt, one more officer and two jawans lost their lives bringing the total death toll to seven.

Meanwhile, the bodies of three terrorists have been recovered and operations are in progress to sanitise the complete area.

Speaking to ANI here, Defence PRO Manish Mehta said that combing operations have been called off for now as it was night time and will be resumed at the crack of dawn.