In a high-security breach just weeks before the first phase of assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, terrorists launched a stand-off attack on the Sunjuwan army base in Jammu on Monday morning. The attackers, armed with a sniper rifle, opened fire from a distance between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., injuring a soldier and triggering an extensive search operation in the area.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, along with the army, swiftly responded by deploying additional forces and launching a joint operation to track down the assailants. Drones are being utilized to locate the attackers in the densely populated regions surrounding the military station, which include Bhatindi, Jalalabad, Abbottabad, and Chowadhi.
The Sunjuwan brigade, a significant military installation in Jammu, has faced similar threats. In a notable incident on February 10, 2018, Pakistan-backed terrorists attacked the base, resulting in the deaths of six soldiers and a civilian. This latest attack heightens concerns as the region prepares for upcoming election rallies featuring prominent national leaders.
Defense spokesperson Lt Col Suneel Bartwal confirmed the timeline of the attack and emphasized that operations to neutralize the threat are ongoing. The base’s strategic location on the Jammu-Kunjwani bypass, a key route on the national highway to Srinagar, underscores the gravity of the situation.
This incident also serves as a reminder of a previous attack near Sunjuwan in April 2022, just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled rally at Samba’s Palli village, where Jaish terrorists targeted the area, leading to casualties and a heightened security alert.
As tensions rise in the lead-up to the assembly elections, security forces remain on high alert, ensuring the safety of the region’s military and civilian areas.
