(From PTI)
Militants attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy at Pampore on Srinagar-Jammu national highway in India killing three police personnel and a civilian before sneaking into a nearby government building, triggering a stand off.
A possible hostage situation was avoided as CRPF and local police managed to evacuate civilians who were trapped inside Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) building located at Pampore in the outskirts of Srinagar city.
“We have been successful in evacuating all the civilians from the building,” Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police K Rajendra said.
One of those evacuated said he was told by the militants to immediately leave because they did not want to harm civilians.
Personnel of the Army, whose elite 15 Corps headquarters is located barely 10 km from the encounter site, were rushed in to help the local police and the CRPF. According to eyewitness accounts, three to five militants are holed up in the building.
Intermittent exchange of fire was reported from the spot when last reports came in.
On December 8, two militants were killed near EDI while trying to cross a security barricade.