Nagrota Terror Attack: Soldiers' wives averted hostage crises

Nagrota: The terrorist attack on army camp in Nagrota area of Jammu on Tuesday morning could have turned into a hostage crises but the courage and valor of the wives of two army officers, who were staying in the family quarters at the time of the attack, averted the major threat.

The terrorists, who were wearing police uniform when they entered an army camp situated around 3kms from the headquarters of the 16 Corps, were willing to enter the family quarters where they could take the families of the soldiers and officers hostage.

But the brave ladies, who were on night duty when the encounter began, gave great example of intelligence and valor as they blocked the entry of their quarters with all that was available in the house, which made it difficult for the militants to break into their houses where their newborn kids were sleeping, revealed an army official.

The outstanding alertness of the two women averted a huge hostage crises which surely would have made the situation worst, he added.

"The terrorists broke into two buildings where army officers and their families were staying. This created a hostage-like situation. The situation was very quickly taken under control and through a deliberate operation, all were rescued successfully. Among the stranded, there were 12 soldiers, two women and two babies," Defence spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

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Attack on army camp: 7 jawans martyred, 3 terrorists killed

In the rescue attempt, two soldiers were martyred, the spokesperson added.

He further added that they had found three dead bodies of terrorists and operations were in progress to sanitise the entire area.

"The terrorists broke into the Officers Mess complex by firing and throwing grenades at the sentries. In the initial counter action, one officer and three soldiers of the Army were martyred," he said.

The Army hasn’t yet called off the operation but suspended it as they want to ensure safety of the entire area.

"The operation is still on, we have just suspended it for the night. The entire area has been placed under tight cordon, the Army does not want to take any risk and we will resume the operations with the first light of the morning," the spokesman said.

The army officials have confirmed that seven soldiers, including two officers, were martyred in the Nagrota terror attack.