Two terrorists entered an Indian Army installation in Jammu’s Rajouri district around 2 AM on Thursday. A four-hour-long firefight broke out shortly after, killing at least three soldiers. Both the attackers were also shot.

According to officials and eye-witnesses, the first gunshot was heard hours after midnight, when the terrorists attempted to breach the external fence of the camp located at Paragal.

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The attack, which came four days ahead of Independence Day, marks the return of ‘fidayeen’ (suicide attackers) to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir after more than three years, news agency PTI reported.

In Thursday’s attack, the two ‘fidayeen’, believed to be from the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed, tried to sneak into the camp but were neutralised, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh told news agency PTI.

In the ensuing encounter, three Army men were killed, the police chief said. According to the eye-witnesses, the last gunshot was heard around 6:10 AM.

Additional Director General of Police Mukesh Singh, who heads the Jammu zone, said, “Someone (terrorists of suicide group) tried to cross the fence of the Army camp at Paragal. The sentry challenged them and an exchange of fire took place. In the fierce gun battle, two terrorists were killed.” Six Army men were injured in the gunfight.

Singh said additional forces have been sent to the Army camp located around six kilometers from the Darhal police station. He said a search and combing operation was underway.

Security forces and the police had been put on alert following intelligence inputs on the suspected movement of terrorists in the Rajouri belt, prompting them to launch a combing operation in Darhal and Nowshera belts on Wednesday.

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The Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists had earlier attempted to carry out a ‘fidayeen’ attack on April 22 this year in Jammu, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled for a visit.

However, the two terrorists were killed in a chance encounter with the CISF near the Sunjawan Army camp. An officer of the paramilitary force was killed.