Four highly-trained snipers of JeM active in Kashmir: Security officials

Security agencies believe that at least two separate 'buddy' groups of the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed comprising two terrorists each have entered Kashmir Valley.
Four highly-trained snipers of JeM active in Kashmir: Security officials

SRINAGAR: Three sniper attacks on security forces in strife-torn Kashmir within a week by Jaish-e-Mohammad militants have added a new dimension to the ongoing insurgency in the Valley. While sniper attacks have happened across the Line of Control, this is the first time they are happening elsewhere in the state.

Of the three sniper attacks, two were in south Kashmir and one was on the outskirts of Srinagar. The first one was on October 21, when a sniper shot Sashastra Seema Bal jawan Vijay Kumar, who was within the compound of his camp at Mindoora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

“Kumar was on the cellphone talking to his family when the bullet hit him on the head. He died on the spot,” an official said.

Four days later, on October 25, a Jaish sniper targeted army men in their camp at Luragam in Pulwama district. Two soldiers were hit by the sniper fire and one of them, sepoy Ngamsiamliana, succumbed to injuries at an army hospital.

The third incident took place on Friday when a sniper targeted CISF assistant sub-inspector Rajendra Prasad while he was within the compound of a CISF camp inside grid station Wagoora at Nowgam, on the outskirts of Srinagar. He was hospitalised with head injuries but passed away.

All three incidents happened in the evening, killing security men within the compound of their camps.

“It seems the militants targeted the jawans from hillocks adjacent their camps. It is highly likely that the snipers have night vision equipment,” he said.

Jaish took responsibility for all three attacks, with its spokesperson underlining that its snipers made the kills.

In view of the latest threat, security personnel have been told to avoid the use of light in camps in south Kashmir in the evening.

“They have also been told to avoid using mobiles in the open in camps after dusk,” officials said.  

Besides, boundary walls of vulnerable camps will also be raised.

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The New Indian Express
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