2018 Sunjuwan attack

{{Short description|Terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India}}

{{Infobox civilian attack

| title = 2018 Sunjuwan attack

| image = Sunjuwan, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir.png

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| caption = Location of Sunjuwan in Jammu city

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| location = Sunjuwan Military Station, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India

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| coordinates = {{coord|32|42|5.0|N|74|55|19.2|E|region:IN|display=title,inline}}

| date = {{start date|df=yes|2018|02|10}}-
{{end date|df=yes|2018|02|11}}

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| fatalities = 10 (6 soldiers, 1 civilian and 3 militants)

| injuries = 11

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| perpetrators= Jaish-e-Mohammed

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On 10 February 2018, at predawn, 3 Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists{{Cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-terrorists-attack-army-camp-red-alert-in-entire-city-1166451-2018-02-10 |title=Jammu: Security forces kill terrorist in Sunjwan camp, one jawan injured |last=Kumar |first=Ashwini |access-date=13 February 2018 |work=India Today |date=10 February 2018}} attacked Sunjuwan Military Station, in the city of Jammu, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Along with the attackers, 6 soldiers and 1 civilian were killed, while 20 were injured including 14 soldiers, and five women and children.{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/attackers-crossed-loc-in-aug-govt/article22746815.ece |title=The long, deadly trek to Sunjuwan |last=Singh |first=Vijaita |date=14 February 2018 |work=The Hindu |access-date=15 February 2018 |language=en-IN}}{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/sunjwan-attack-rajnath-singh-hails-injured-pregnant-woman-who-delivered-baby-after-suffering-gunshots-5062453/ |title=Sunjuwan attack: Rajnath Singh hails injured pregnant woman who delivered baby after suffering gunshots |date=13 February 2018 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=15 February 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sunjuwan-terror-attack-2-soldiers-dead-in-jammu-army-camp-terror-attack-ops-enter-day-2-10-points-1811214 |title=5 Soldiers, Civilian Dead in Jammu Attack, One of the Worst Since Uri: 10 Points |work=NDTV.com |access-date=11 February 2018}} Notably, this attack coincided with the death anniversary of Afzal Guru,{{Cite news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jammu-army-camp-attack-security-breached-despite-high-alert-around-afzal-guru-day/story-HlISA50H0CVF3DcJ8aCA2O.html |title=Jammu army camp attack: Security breached despite high alert around 'Afzal Guru day' |date=11 February 2018 |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=11 February 2018 |language=en}} convicted in the 2001 Indian parliament attack.{{cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/jammu-terror-attack-live-updates-2-soldiers-killed-9-injured-at-sunjwan-army-camp-two-jem-terrorists-neutralised-explore-topics-jammu-and-kashmir-sunjuwan-4344451.html |title=Jammu terror attack updates: 3 JeM terrorists neutralised at Sunjuwan camp, Mehbooba Mufti meets injured LIVE News, Latest Updates, Live blog, Highlights and Live coverage – Firstpost |newspaper=firstpost.com |access-date=11 February 2018}} The attack was described as one of the worst since the 2016 Uri attack.

The man described by the Indian Army as the mastermind of the attack, Mufti Waqas, a commander in Jaish-e-Mohammed, was killed in an army operation on 5 March 2018 in Awantipora.{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/sunjuwan-mastermind-mufti-waqas-killed-in-surgical-attack-top-developments-118030600172_1.html|title=Sunjuwan mastermind Mufti Waqas killed in surgical attack: Top developments|last=Team|first=BS Web|date=2018-03-06|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2018-03-07}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/jaish-militant-behind-jammu-army-camp-attack-killed-in-awantipora-encounter/story-9wHB7bmb4ZfiuFMjl1ztTK.html|title=Sunjuwan army camp attack mastermind killed in Kashmir encounter|date=2018-03-05|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://kashmirreader.com/2018/03/07/mufti-waqas-powerful-motivator-was-brain-behind-4-fidayeen-attacks/|title=Mufti Waqas, 'powerful motivator', was brain behind 4 fidayeen attacks|date=2018-03-06|work=Kashmir Reader|access-date=2018-03-07|language=en-GB}}

Attack

In the early hours of Saturday 10 February 2018, at around 4:10 am IST, three heavily armed militants infiltrated into the military station, which served as the HQ of 36th Brigade which housed army personnel as well as their families. The attackers were armed with AK-47 assault rifles and grenades. They entered the residential quarters and opened fire, killing four soldiers and injuring at least nine others including women and children.{{citation |last=Yasir |first=Sameer |title=Militants Storm Indian Army Base, Killing Soldiers and a Civilian |newspaper=The New York Times |date=11 February 2018 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/11/world/asia/jammu-base-attack.html |access-date=15 February 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1632023/9-five-troops-killed-held-kashmir-army-camp-attack-operation-enters-second-day/ |title=Five troops killed in held Kashmir army camp attack as operation enters second day – The Express Tribune |date=11 February 2018 |work=The Express Tribune |access-date=11 February 2018 |language=en-US}}{{cite news |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/181397-indian-army-chief-arrives-in-occupied-kashmir-after-attack-on-army-camp |title=Indian army chief arrives in occupied Kashmir after as 'militants' attack army camp |newspaper=geo.tv |language=en-US |access-date=11 February 2018}}

The militants were cornered in a residential complex and special forces were deployed in a battle that lasted over 24 hours, at the end of which all the militants were killed. The army camp consisting of 150 buildings was cleared out. Subsequently, flushing operations were carried out to neutralise the remaining attackers.

Five soldiers, all serving in the 1st battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, were killed in the attack: Sub. Madan Lal Choudhary, Sub. Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Hav. Habibullah Qurashi, Nk. Manzoor Ahmed and L/Nk. Mohammad Iqbal. L/Nk. Mohammad Iqbal's father, a civilian, was also killed.{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/sunjuwan-attack-army-chief-arrives-in-jammu-as-operation-enters-day-2/articleshow/62869672.cms |title=Sunjuwan attack: Five Army soldiers martyred, operation underway |work=The Times of India |access-date=11 February 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jammu-sunjuwan-attack-live-updates-anti-terror-operations-5059226/ |title=Jammu attack LIVE UPDATES: Five soldiers, one civilian dead; Army guns down four terrorists |date=11 February 2018 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=11 February 2018 |language=en-US}}

Attackers were identified as Kari Mushtaq, Mohammad Khalid Khan and Mohammad Adil, all of whom were Pakistani nationals.{{Cite news |url=http://zeenews.india.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jem-let-synchronised-recent-attacks-in-jk-over-300-terrorists-ready-to-enter-india-warns-army-2081227.html |title=JeM, LeT synchronised recent attacks in J&K; over 300 terrorists ready to enter India, warns Army |date=15 February 2018 |work=Zee News |access-date=15 February 2018 |language=en}}

There were also reports that some of the Illegal Rohingyas living in jammu, might have provided logistical assistance to these terrorists.{{cite news|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/j-k/-illegal-settlement-of-rohingya-to-be-probed-by-security-agencies-724545|title='Illegal settlement' of Rohingya to be probed by security agencies|access-date=9 February 2018|work=The Tribune}}

Aftermath

The attack happened at a distance of six kilometers from the University of Jammu. Schools in the region were shut and a high alert was sounded in the entire region following the attack.{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/jammu-on-high-alert-schools-shut-after-army-camp-terror-attack-updates-1811231 |title=Jammu on High Alert, Schools Shut After Army Camp Terror Attack: Updates |work=NDTV.com |access-date=11 February 2018}} Anti-Pakistan slogans were raised in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly following the attack.{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/anti-pak-protests-against-jammu-terror-attack-in-j-k-assembly-1166589-2018-02-10 |title=Anti-Pak protests against Jammu terror attack in J-K Assembly |date=10 February 2018 |newspaper=India Today |language=en-US |access-date=11 February 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/658905/operation-flush-terrorists-army-base.html |title=Operation to flush out terrorists from Army base enters 2nd day |newspaper=Deccan Herald |access-date=11 February 2018}} Local residents of Jammu chanted anti-Pakistan slogans.{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/thousands-bid-adieu-to-braveheart/542955.html|title=Thousands bid adieu to braveheart|last=Pathak|first=Sanjay|date=12 February 2018|work=The Tribune|access-date=23 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNabLOrAWXs|title=Thousands attend funeral of soldiers killed in Jammu attack|date=14 February 2018|work=News Nation|access-date=23 February 2018}}

The pregnant wife of a soldier, Rfn. Nazir Ahmed, was shot in the back during the attack. She was immediately taken to a military hospital and soon afterwards delivered her baby successfully.{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/shot-by-terrorist-bullets-in-sunjwan-attack-army-doctors-save-pregnant-woman-her-unborn-child-1167510-2018-02-12 |title=Pregnant woman shot by terrorists in Sunjwan attack saved by Army doctors, gives birth |date=12 February 2018 |newspaper=India Today |language=en-US |access-date=15 February 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.news18.com/photogallery/india/sitharaman-meets-sunjuwans-miracle-baby-injured-jawans-in-jammu-1659743.html |title=Sitharaman Meets Sunjuwan's Miracle Baby, Injured Jawans |newspaper=News18 |access-date=15 February 2018}}

Indian defense minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited the injured victims. She blamed Pakistan for the attack and said "Pakistan will pay" for the "misadventure".{{Cite news |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/nirmala-sitharaman-on-sunjuwan-terror-attack-top-10-developments-118021300122_1.html |title=Nirmala Sitharaman says Pak to pay for Sunjuwan attack: Top 10 developments |date=13 February 2018 |work=Business Standard India |access-date=15 February 2018}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.livemint.com/Politics/acvNRaikDgnTwE59GIoeMI/Pakistan-will-pay-for-Sunjuwan-attack-at-time-of-our-choosin.html |title=Sunjuwan attack: India says Pakistan 'will pay' for Kashmir 'misadventure' |last=Jain |first=Rupam |date=13 February 2018 |work=Live Mint |access-date=15 February 2018 }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pakistan-picking-soft-targets-says-senior-army-officer-on-sunjuwan-attack-1813047 |title="Pakistan Picking Soft Targets," Says Senior Army Officer on Sunjuwan Attack |work=NDTV.com |access-date=15 February 2018}} Pakistan responded the next day rejecting the allegations and accusing India of generating "war hysteria".{{cite news |title=Sunjwan: Army sets camp ablaze; Pak alleges India creating 'war hysteria' |newspaper=Business Standard |date=12 February 2018 |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/sunjwan-army-sets-camp-ablaze-pak-alleges-india-creating-war-hysteria-118021100768_1.html |access-date=16 February 2018}} The US Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats, said in his testimony to Senate Select Committee, that Pakistan-supported terrorist groups would continue to carry out attacks in India. He added that Pakistan's perception of its "eroding position" relative to India in economic and domestic security spheres drove it towards goals counter to those of the United States.{{citation |title=Pak.-backed militants to continue attacks in India |newspaper=The Hindu |date=15 February 2018 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/pak-backed-militants-to-continue-attacks-in-india/article22756291.ece |access-date=16 February 2018|agency=Press Trust of India }}

Controversial Indian parliamentarian Asaduddin Owaisi highlighted the fact that five out of the seven killed in the attack were Kashmiri Muslims. The BJP replied to his statement as giving a "communal angle" to the sacrifices made by the Army.{{citation |title=Jammu attack: Asaduddin Owaisi says five of seven killed in Surjuwan Muslim; BJP calls remarks 'shocking' |newspaper=Firstpost |date=13 February 2018 |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/jammu-attack-asaduddin-owaisi-says-five-of-seven-killed-in-surjuwan-muslim-bjp-calls-remarks-shocking-4348915.html |access-date=16 February 2018}} The Indian Army said that it was above religion and would not "communalise [the] martyrs".{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/asads-martyr-jibe-draws-army-fire/articleshow/62924324.cms |title=Asaduddin Owaisi's martyr jibe draws Army fire |work=The Times of India |access-date=15 February 2018}}{{Cite news |url=https://scroll.in/latest/868687/sunjuwan-attack-day-after-owaisis-comment-on-muslims-army-says-it-does-not-communalise-martyrs |title=Sunjuwan attack: Day after Owaisi's comment on Muslims, Army says it does not communalise martyrs |newspaper=Scroll.in |access-date=15 February 2018 |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/we-dont-communalise-troops-says-army/article22756326.ece |title=We don't communalise troops, says Army |date=15 February 2018 |work=The Hindu |access-date=15 February 2018 |language=en-IN }}

Thousands of local residents gathered to mourn the deaths of the slain soldiers in their home towns of Kupwara, Reshipora in Tral, Kewa village in Anantnag. Army soldiers were also present to give a guard of honour.{{citation |title=Thousands attend funeral of soldiers killed in Jammu attack |newspaper=Kashmir Reader |date=14 February 2018 |url=https://kashmirreader.com/2018/02/14/thousands-attend-funeral-of-soldiers-killed-in-jammu-attack/ |access-date=16 February 2018}}