By Our Correspondent
SRI NAGAR/NEW DELHI:The President Pranab Mukherjee has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Army Base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir.
In a series of tweets, the President has said, “Strongly condemn outrageous terrorist attack on Army base in Uri; tributes to brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice.
Heartfelt condolences to families of those bereaved in Uri terrorist attack; prayers for speedy recovery of injured.
India will not be cowed down by such attacks, we will thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their backers”.
The Vice President M. Hamid Ansari has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Army Administrative Base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. In a message, he said that such attacks are the result of the use of cross-border terrorism by one particular country in our region.
“I am deeply shocked at the terrorist attack on Army Administrative Base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir today. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those whose loved ones have been killed.
Such attacks are the result of the use of cross-border terrorism by one particular country in our region. We shall deal with such provocations in a befitting manner.”
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the terror attack this morning in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir.
“We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished.
We salute all those martyred in Uri. Their service to the nation will always be remembered. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.
Have spoken to Home Minister and Raksha Mantri on the situation. Raksha Mantri will go to J&K himself to take stock of the situation”, the Prime Minister said.
On the day of a terror attack in Uri when four terrorists were killed and 17 soldiers martyred, the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh visited Kashmir to take stock of the ongoing operations and review the overall security situation in Kashmir.
They were briefed by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders Lt Gen DS Hooda and Lt Gen Satish Dua respectively at Srinagar on the Uri attack and the operation launched to neutralise the terrorists. While three of the four heavily armed terrorists were eliminated within the initial fifteen minutes of establishing contact, the fourth was neutralized later and four AK-47 rifles and equal number of UBGLs along with other war like stores were recovered from them. Unfortunately, 17 soldiers have attained martyrdom in the operation. 13 of these soldiers died as they were trapped in the tents and shelters that caught fire due to the explosives used by the terrorists.
The Defence Minister was briefed about the security grid along the Line of Control (LoC) and the hinterland also covering the deployment of the additional forces that have been recently inducted into the Valley.
The need for heightened vigil both on the LoC and hinterland and to remain prepared for any eventuality was stressed upon. There have been a number of infiltration attempts that the Army has foiled recently. It may be recalled that in the last one week itself, three such attempts were foiled in Kupwara Sector when four terrorists were killed and another group of four terrorists was eliminated in Poonch.
On being briefed about the internal security situation in the hinterland, the Army Chief reiterated the importance of complete synergy amongst all security, intelligence and other government agencies to ensure calm and prevent the terrorists and other inimical forces from moving with impunity and intimidating the populace.
Earlier the Army Chief also visited Uri to get a first hand account where he was briefed on the latest situation by the Commanders on ground. The Defence Minister and Army Chief later met the casualties at the Army Base Hospital in BB Cantt.
Saluting the martyrs, they expressed their deep grief and condolences over the loss and wished speedy recovery to the injured. The Defence Minister has directed that the mortal remains of all the martyrs would be transported directly to their respective hometowns for which arrangements are being made.
A group of heavily armed terrorists opened fire on an administrative base of one of the units of Indian Army at Uri in Kashmir at approximately 0530 hours this morning. The firefight between the terrorists and Army Personnel continued till approximately 0830 hours, during which four terrorists have been killed.
All four killed were Foreign Terrorists and had some items with them which had Pakistani markings. Initial reports indicate that the slain terrorists belong to Jaish-e-Mohammed tanzeem. Four AK 47 rifles and four Under Barrel Grenade Launchers along with a large number of other war like stores were recovered from them.
The terrorists fired incendiary ammunition along with automatic fire of small arms that led to army tents / temporary shelters catching fire. The tents located in the complex were to house additional troops inducted due to routine turnover of units.
There have been a total of 17 Army fatal casualties. Of these, 13 – 14 casualties have been due to these tents/ shelters having caught fire. I must mention that the operation for clearance of the area is still in progress and a very deliberate search is being carried out of the entire area around the Military Complex in Uri. As such, complete details of the operation are not yet available. However, the operation is being carried out by the Indian Army in a very professional manner and the Army personnel have displayed exceptionally high standards of courage and gallantry while neutralizing the terrorists.Since the terrorists had some items with Pakistani markings, I have spoken to Pakistan DGMO and conveyed our serious concerns on the same.
I would also like to mention that all the intelligence agencies are working in close synergy with the Security forces and regular intelligence inputs are received from concerned agencies and necessary action is being taken accordingly.
The COAS has visited the site of operation and taken an ‘on the ground’ assessment of the situation. The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri is also currently on his way to Srinagar and shall be updated by the COAS on the situation.
We salute the supreme sacrifice made by our brave soldiers following the highest traditions of Indian Army. Finally, I would like to assure you that the Indian Army remains prepared to thwart any nefarious designs and any evil designs of the adversary shall be given a befitting reply.
