One Army jawan and a civilian were killed as militants attacked an Army camp in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday night.
These are first deaths in a militant attack on security installation since the Centre announced Ramzan 'cease-ops' in Kashmir 12 days ago.
“Militants fired upon the Army’s 50 Rashtriya Rifles camp at Kakapora on Sunday night, triggering exchange of fire,” said Senior Superintendent of Police, Pulwama, Mohammad Aslam Choudary.
The militants managed to escape by using nearby orchards as a cover.
The civilian, who died on the spot after being hit by a bullet, was identified as Bilal Ahmad Ganaie from Pulwama’s Naraw-Lajoora. Ganaie was a driver by profession.
Srinagar-based Army spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia identified the deceased soldier as Sepoy Vikram Singh. Singh succumbed to his injuries at Army's base hospital in Srinagar. “It was a cowardly and provocative act of terror. Terrorists carried out a stand-off attack,” said Colonel Kalia.
Militants also snatched two service rifles on Saturday night from the policemen guarding a political leader affiliated with J&K Tehreek Bachao Party in Anantnag.
Ever since the Ramzan ceasefire was announced, militants have resorted to at least four grenade attacks, four weapon snatching bids and two ambushes.