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Punjab terror attack: Terrorists came from Narowal from Pakistan, claims IB

The attackers entered the Dinanagar police station and opened fire at policemen

Gurdaspur: A day after India observed the Kargil Diwas to salute its soldiers who fought against Pakistani troops in 1999, a group of terrorists attacked a police station in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district.

The terrorists dressed in army uniforms stormed the police station killing at least five people and injuring several others. One terrorist has been killed and four others are holed up, according to reports.

The Intelligence Bureau claimed that the terrorists came from Pakistan's Narowal area. They hijacked a Maruti car after injuring a restaurant owner and drove it to reach the Dinanagar police station.

The attackers entered the Dinanagar police station and opened fire at policemen.

Terrorists are said to have first attacked a state roadways bus and then entered the police station. “Four passengers of the bus attacked by the terrorists were injured and hospitalised,” SSP Gurdaspur Gurpreet Singh said.

The gunmen are heavily armed and have been spotted carrying AK-47 rifles. Five live bombs were recovered from nearby railway tracks in Gurdaspur. Army commandos and a Quick Response Team (QRT) were called in to tackle the situation.

Read: Punjab again under ‘terrorist threat’, says state Congress President

No group has taken responsibility of the attack so far. However, the operation of the attack is similar to the ones that have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir in the recent months. “The timing of the attack, methodology & location are all eerily similar to attacks in the border belt of Jammu,” Omar Abdullah tweeted.

The incident comes weeks after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif spoke for about an hour on border related issues during a summit in Russia.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said, "Special forces, which can counter insurgency and terrorist forces, have been deployed. Army has done all it should." Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said there is no hostage situation.

Union Home Secretary L C Goyal has spoken to Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini and is monitoring the situation, officials said.

Read: Live operation on in Gurdsaspur, Punjab to nab 4 terrorists who have gunned down 5 people

A high alert has been sounded and security strengthened across Punjab, neighbouring Haryana and Union Territory of Chandigarh in the wake of the terror attack which came less than three weeks before the country's Independence Day.

Additional security personnel have been deployed around vital installations and key public places in the state and along its borders with Jammu and Kashmir.

Read: Punjab terror attack: Rajnath Singh orders BSF to immediately move forces to assist police

Police has set up 'nakas' and intensified checking of vehicles. Ishwar Chandra Sharma, IG, Border Zone, said the gunmen attacked a Punjab roadways bus and then entered the police station complex.

Read: Punjab put on maximum alert after Gurdaspur terror attack

"We have engaged them in an adjoining building which is an abandoned building and a barrack," he said. "Four-five bombs have also been found on railway track on way to Dinanagar," he added.

( Source : deccan chronicle )
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