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| India-Pakistan |
| Kashmir Korpse Kount |
| 2016-09-19 |
| Militants in Kashmir have killed 17 Indian soldiers in an early morning raid on an army camp near the disputed border with Pakistan. The assault at around 5.30am on Sunday is among the deadliest single attack on military forces in the history of the troubled region. Four “fidayeen” – highly-trained militants who storm security installations on what are essentially suicide missions – were killed, according to the Indian army. In a statement, the Indian army attributed the high casualties on Sunday morning to a fire that broke out during the attack and consumed temporary shelters and tents in the brigade headquarters. More than a dozen soldiers are understood to be injured, some of them critically. The militants are thought to have recently crossed over the nearby “line of control” with Pakistan. An emergency meeting of senior ministers and security officials is being held in Delhi and alerts have been issued for airports across the country. The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, said he condemned the “cowardly” attack. “I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished,” he said on Twitter. “We salute all those martyred in Uri. Their service to the nation will always be remembered. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.” The Indian defence minister, Manohar Parrikar, and army chief Dalbir Singh are making their way to Srinigar, the region’s summer capital. |
| Posted by:Steve White |