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14.30 hrs.
STATEMENT BY MINISTER
Fidayeen attack on company
Headquarters of CRPF Camp at Sopore,
Dist.Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir
Title: Statement regarding Fidayeen attack on company headquarters on CRPF at Sopore, Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir.
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY): Hon. Deputy-Speaker, Sir, today, that is on 3.12.2004 at 06.30 hours, two armed Kashmiri militant Fidayeens stormed into the Company Headquarters of 16 Battalion at Sopore, District Baramulla (J&K). The Fidayeens hurled grenades and fired at the Sentry who was killed instantaneously. The Fidayeen also captured LMG of the killed Sentry and entered into the building. It is a three-storey pucca building in which Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police is also housed.
In the continuous firing by the Fidayeen, five CRPF personnel including one Head Constable and three Constables, and one Barber were killed and one Constable was injured.
As per the available reports, both the Fidayeens are still alive and the operation to neutralise them is on. CRPF alongwith Rashtriya Rifles is conducting operations to eliminate the Fidayeens. The building has been cordoned off and senior officers are on the spot.
Further reports are awaited.
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