Jump to content

2016 Uri attack

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 198.233.141.25 (talk) at 16:44, 20 September 2016. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2016 Uri attack
Part of Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
LocationNear Uri, Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Date18 September 2016
5.30 am (IST)
Attack type
Terrorism, Mass shooting
Weapons4 AK-47 rifles, 4 Under barrel grenade launchers, 5 Hand grenadess, 9 UBGL grenades, 2 radio sets, 2 GPS devices, 2 map sheets, 2 matrix sheets, one mobile phone[1]
Deaths22 (18 soldiers, 4 attackers)[2]
Injured19 - 30[3][4][5]
Perpetrators4 terrorists
DefendersIndian Army

The 2016 Uri attack was an attack by four heavily armed terrorists on 18 September 2016, near the town of Uri in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was reported as "the deadliest attack on security forces in Kashmir in two decades".[7]

Attack

At around 5:30 a.m. on 18 September, four terrorists attacked an Indian Army Brigade headquarters at the town of Uri near the Line of Control in a pre-dawn ambush. They are said to have lobbed 17 grenades in 3 minutes. As a rear administrative base camp with tents caught fire, 13–14 army personnel were killed. A gun battle ensued lasting six hours, during which all the four terrorists were killed. An additional 19 - 30 soldiers were reported to have been injured in the attack.[3][5][8][9][10] Combing operations continued to flush out additional terrorists thought to be alive.[7]

Most of the soldiers killed were from the 10 Dogra and 6 Bihar regiments.[10] One of the injured soldiers succumbed to his injuries on 19 September at R&R Hospital in New Delhi.[2] As of 19 September 2016, total casualties on the military side is poised at 18.[11]

The high casualties are primarily believed due to non-fire retardant transition tents. This was the time of a troops shift, whereby the 6 Bihar regiment was replacing 10 Dogra regiment. The incoming troops were housed in tents, which are normally avoided in sensitive areas around LOC like Uri. The attackers sneaked into the camp breaching heavy security and seemed to know exactly where to strike. Seven of the personnel killed were support staff, including cooks and barbers.[12][13]

Analysis

The army personnel recovered a map from the slain terrorists which had markings in the Pashtun language and indicated a detailed plan of action. Four AK-47 rifles and four under barrel grenade launchers along with ammunition were also recovered. As per the army some of the items had Pakistani markings. The Director General of military operations, Lieutenant- General Ranbir Singh, said that there was evidence that the attackers belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad, an Islamist militant group active in the Kashmir region.[14] He established a hotline contact with his Pakistani counterpart and conveyed India's serious concern on the issue.[8][15]

Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh has also stated that the militants used incendiary ammunition to set fire to the tents.[8] Such incendiary material was used for the first time in attacks, according to sources.[16]

The Diplomat noted that the timing of the attack coincided with the Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly the following week.[17]

The India Today magazine reported that there was specific intelligence input from the Intelligence Bureau two days earlier that terrorists were planning to strike army formations close to the Line of Control. The intelligence agency had said that three fidayeen squads were launched from Pakistan-administered Kashmir. One of them attacked Uri, another went to Poonch where it was engaged by the security forces, and the third is believed to be targeting Srinagar highway.[18] The India Today Television mentioned that, according to the intelligence sources, Pakistan has plotted a "spectacular event" ahead of Nawaz Sharif's speech to the UN General Assembly.[19]

The National Investigation Agency filed a case regarding the attack took over the investigation on 20 September.[20]

Prior to this incident, Indian administered Kashmir had been under curfew for more than 70 days, with 87 civilians being killed and 1000's of civilians injured with 713 shot by pellet gun by Indian Army[17] [21] [22] [23].

Reactions

Domestic reactions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of his cabinet vehemently condemned the attack, and Home Minister Rajnath Singh held an emergency meeting to discuss further steps to take in response.[7] Minister of Defence Manohar Parrikar and Indian Army cheif General Dalbir Singh visited Kashmir soon after the attack to assess the ongoing military operations and review the security situation in the region.[24] Parrikar instructed the Army to take firm action against those responsible for the attack and also stated that the deaths of the 17 soldiers "will not go in vain".[25] Home Minister Rajnath Singh accused Pakistan for its "continued and direct support to terrorism and terrorist groups", calling Pakistan a "terrorist state" that should be "isolated".[26]

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre stated that the "entire nation was traumatised" over the death of the 17 soldiers and the whole nation was "united in this hour of grief". He also stated that the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister had come to a conclusion that a response needs to be given to Pakistan.[27]

Minster of State for External Affairs and former Army cheif Vijay Kumar Singh stated that India will give a "befitting reply” to the attack. He called upon the Indian Armed Forces to scale up their security and described a cold and calculated response as the need of the hour. He also called for an investigation into the shortcomings which led to the attack while stating that the Army should decide its response "coolly" with proper planning.[28][29]

Many Indian politicians and public figures have condemned the attack.[30] Former Indian diplomats and foreign policy experts have said that India had been driven to the wall and that a measured and effective response was needed.[31] The opposition party, Indian National Congress, has said that there was no more scope for constructive dialogue with Pakistan.[32]

On 19 September, Rajnath Singh, Manohar Parrikar, Dalbir Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and officials of Home and Defence ministries met to review the security situation in Kashmir, particularly in areas along the Line of Control.[33]

Later in the same day, India called upon the United Nations Human Rights Council to urge Pakistan to put an end to cross-border infiltration and dismantle the terrorism infrastructure. Since known terrorists like Hafeez Saeed (the chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba) and Syed Salahuddin (the chief of Hizbul Mujahideen) can hold huge rallies in Pakistan's main cities, it said that active support for such terrorists has become the "new normal" in Pakistan. It highlighted that "Zero tolerance" to terrorism is an international obligation.[34]

Pakistan

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry issued statements in which it rejected India's accusations that Pakistan had masterminded the attack. The ministry also condemned India's statements as "vitriolic" and deemed India's stance a "blatant attempt" to deflect attention from human rights abuses in Kashmir. It said the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir was "not of Pakistan's making but a direct consequence of illegal Indian occupation and a long history of atrocities," and that India's reaction of accusing Pakistan without investigations was "deplorable."[35]

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif claimed that India was propagating a "hostile narrative" in response the Uri attack and also stated that the armed forces of Pakistan were "prepared to respond to the entire spectrum of direct and indirect threat”[36]

Other nations

  •  Afghanistan - Afghan Ambassador to India Shaida Mohammad Abdali condemned the attack. Pledging his nation's support to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for a strong and firm action against the perpetrators, Ambassador Abdali said: "We fully support PM Modi's call for strong and firm action against those who terrorise people, and those who use terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy; seeing this for many years. Whoever uses terrorism shouldn't only be isolated but also held accountable."[37]
  •  Bangladesh - Ex Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali [38] condemned the attack [39]. Bangladesh - MOFA has not yet released a press release[40].
  •  Bhutan - Bhutan said it is "deeply concerned" at the "despicable" terror attack and called for the need to step up global cooperation to combat terrorism. The Bhutanese Foreign Ministry issued a statement, "Bhutan strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and stands with India in the fight against terrorism. Such heinous acts of terrorism calls for the need to step-up international cooperation to combat the scourge of terrorism that poses a severe threat to the peace and stability of all countries," it said.[41]
  •  China - China's Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attack and expressed sympathy towards the families of the slain soldiers as well as the injured soldiers. It also expressed concerns about rising tensions in the Kashmir region and called upon India and Pakistan to hold dialogue and consultations in order to solve their differences and counter-terrorism operations.[42]
  •  EU - EU issued a statement, "terrorist attack against the Uri Indian military camp demonstrates once again that terrorism has no boundaries, and that it is a global threat. As far as the European Union is concerned, we are committed to working with our partners and the international community at large to combat terrorism in all its forms. Our first thoughts and condolences go to the victims of this attack and to their families. We wish a quick recovery to those who were injured".[43]
  •  France - The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development issued a statement condemning the attack and calling for a peaceful settlement to disputes in Kashmir. "France condemns in the firmest terms the terrible terrorist attack committed on 18 September against an Indian Army camp in the Kashmir region. It expresses its condolences to the families of the 17 Indian soldiers killed in this attack. France stands beside India in the struggle against terrorism. It calls on each state to effectively fight against terrorist groups operating on its territory or from its territory against other countries. France reaffirms its commitment for a peaceful and structured settlement of differences in the region of Kashmir."[44]
  •  Germany – Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the attacks and said, "our thoughts are with the families of the murdered soldiers and with the many people who have been injured, some seriously."[45] He added, "Germany stands resolutely at India’s side in the fight against terrorism. At the Indo-German counterterrorism consultations, which will take place in a few days’ time, we will further discuss the threats to our two countries’ societies.".[45]
  •  Japan – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan issued a statement which said, "The Government of Japan strongly condemns the terrorist attack on the Indian Base in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, and extends its sincere condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families, and expresses its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured."[46]
  •    Nepal - Nepal condemned the terrorist attack. In his message to PM Modi, Nepalese Prime Minister Prachanda said he was of the firm belief that the perpetrators behind this heinous act will be brought to justice at the earliest. PM Prachanda reiterated the Nepal goverment’s position of unequivocally condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and said that such acts must be firmly and resolutely dealt with. Prachanda also extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families.[47]
  •  Russia – Russia condemned the attacks saying, it is "concerned about the fact that, according to New Delhi, the army base was attacked from Pakistani territory". In a statement released by the Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the criminal act should be investigated properly and that its organisers and perpetrators be held accountable. According to Indian sources, in the wake of the attack, Russia also called-off an upcoming joint military exercise with Pakistan.[48] However, a Pakistani government spokesman denied this, saying the exercises were taking place as scheduled.[49]
  •  Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka condemned the terror attack and reaffirmed the "urgent need for sustained" regional and global cooperation to eliminate terrorism. "In the hour of grief, the Government of Sri Lanka offers its condolences to the families of the victims of the attack, a foreign ministry statement said.[50] Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena called PM Modi to condemn the attacks and offered condolences to the families of the victims.[51]
  •  UAE - The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation issued a statement "renewing the nation's firm stand against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, its solidarity with the Republic of India and its support to all actions it may take to confront and eradicate terrorism". It further offered deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, as well as the government and people of India, and wished a speedy recovery to those who had been injured.[52]
  •  United Kingdom – Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson condemned the attack. "The UK strongly condemns this morning’s terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. I offer my deepest condolences to the victims and their families and friends. The UK condemns all forms of terrorism, and stands shoulder to shoulder with India in the fight against terrorism, and in bringing the perpetrators to justice."[53]
  •  United States – State Department spokesperson John Kirby said, "The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir during the early morning of September 18. We extend our condolences to the victims and their families. The United States is committed to our strong partnership with the Indian government to combat terrorism."[54]
  •  Venezuela – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro expressed solidarity with the people of India and stated, "We are committed along with our brotherly people of the world to get into the depth of this problem that has generated proliferation of terrorist movements, which doesn't respect life and the need for coexistence of people."[55]

United Nations

  •  UN - On 19 September, the spokesperson of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban-ki Moon issued a statement on Moon's behalf in which he condemned the attack and expressed his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives and to the government of India. He also wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured during the attack and hoped that the perpetrators of will be identified and brought to justice.[56]

See also

References

  1. ^ DNA India (19 September 2016). "Uri attack: PM Modi calls for Pak to be isolated diplomatically, Army says India will respond at appropriate time". dnaindia.com. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b "One more soldier succumbs to injuries, death toll rises to 18 in Uri attack". Hindustan Times. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  3. ^ a b Uri terror attack: 17 soldiers killed, 19 injured in strike on Army camp, Times of India, 18 September 2016.
  4. ^ Uri terror attack: List of jawans who died fighting terrorists, The Indian Express, 18 September 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Tents set on fire, troops shot while coming out". The Hindu. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Uri aftermath LIVE: Infiltration bids have increased this year: Army". indianexpress.com. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  7. ^ a b c "Militants attack Indian army base in Kashmir 'killing 17'". BBC News. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  8. ^ a b c Uri attack: An inside story of how it happened, India Today, 18 September 2016.
  9. ^ Sequence of the Uri attack & the plan of the terrorists, The Economic Times, 19 September 2016.
  10. ^ a b Uri Attack: Most of the 17 Soldiers Died in a Tent Fire, The Quint, 19 September 2016.
  11. ^ "Uri attack: Death toll touches 18, India decides to isolate Pakistan on the global stage - Firstpost". 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
  12. ^ High casualties due to transition tents, The Hindu, 19 September 2016.
  13. ^ Uri Base Caught Off-Guard Despite Specific Intel? Army Investigates, NDTV News, 20 September 2016.
  14. ^ Cronin, Audrey Kurth; Huda Aden; Adam Frost; Benjamin Jones (2004-02-06). "Foreign Terrorist Organizations" (PDF). CRS Report for Congress. Washington, D.C.: Congressional Research Service: 40–43. Retrieved 2009-12-02.
  15. ^ Jaish terrorists behind Uri attack, had items with Pakistani markings: Army, Times Of India , 18 September 2016.
  16. ^ NIA team begins probe, visits Uri encounter site, The Hindu, 20 September 2016.
  17. ^ a b Shawn Snow, 17 Indian Soldiers Killed in Kashmir: India-Pakistan Tensions Heating up, The Diplomat, 19 September 2016.
  18. ^ Uri attack: There was specific intelligence inputs; IB alerted army units on Thursday, India Today, 18 September 2016.
  19. ^ Uri attack: Pakistan plots spectacular event ahead of Sharif's UN speech, report Intel sources, India Today Television, 19 September 2016.
  20. ^ "Uri terror attack: NIA files FIR, begins probe". Times of India. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  21. ^ "Kashmir unrest: 13 more hit by pellets, total 713". 2016-09-14. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  22. ^ "Indian force admits firing 1.7 million pellets in Kashmir". Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  23. ^ Agencies (2016-09-19). "17 Indian troops killed in attack on held Kashmir base". Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  24. ^ "Parrikar, Army chief visit Kashmir, review security". Daily Excelsior. September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  25. ^ "After Uri Attack, Manohar Parrikar Instructs Army To Take 'Firm Action'". Daily Excelsior. September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  26. ^ "Isolate 'Terrorist State' Pakistan, Says Rajnath Singh After Kashmir Attack". ndtv.com.
  27. ^ "MoS defence denies reports of 3 more Uri attack deaths". Hindustan Times. September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  28. ^ "India will give a cold, calculated, and befitting reply, says General VK Singh on Uri attack". The Financial Express. September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  29. ^ "VK Singh calls for probe into lacunas which led to Uri attack". Times of India. Press Trust of India. September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  30. ^ Neelakantan, Shailaja (September 19, 2016). "Uri terror attack: Demands rise for 'befitting reply' to Pakistan". Times of India. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  31. ^ Uri attack: India driven to the wall, say diplomats, The Hindu, 18 September 2016.
  32. ^ No scope for constructive dialogue with Pak post Uri attack: Congress, Business Standard, 19 September 2016.
  33. ^ "Uri attack: Rajnath Singh, Manohar Parrikar, NSA, Army chief meet to discuss Kashmir". The Indian Express. Press Trust of India. September 19, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  34. ^ Active support for terrorists like Hafiz Saeed, Syed Salahuddin new normal in Pakistan: India at UN Human Rights Council, The Economic Times, 20 September 2016.
  35. ^ "Kashmir attack: Pakistan hits back at India accusations". BBC News. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  36. ^ "India propagating 'hostile narrative' about Uri attack: Pak Army chief". Hindustan Times. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  37. ^ ANI (19 September 2016). "Uri attack: Afghan envoy calls for joint strategy to fight terrorist groups" – via Business Standard.
  38. ^ "Mr. Syed Muazzem Ali | Welcome to MOFA Website". www.mofa.gov.bd. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  39. ^ "Uri Terror Attack: Bangladesh Stands With India, Says Envoy". news18.com. 19 September 2016.
  40. ^ "Press Release | Welcome to MOFA Website". www.mofa.gov.bd. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  41. ^ [zeenews.india.com/news/world/bhutan-condemns-uri-attack_1931286.html Bhutan condemns Uri attack]
  42. ^ Krishnan, Ananth (19 September 2016). "China condemns Uri attack, but wants India, Pakistan to have 'dialogue'". India Today. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  43. ^ "Attack at the Indian Army Camp in Uri - eeas - European Commission". europa.eu.
  44. ^ "Inde - Attaque terroriste (18 septembre 2016) (fr)". France - Diplomacy. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  45. ^ a b "Uri terror attack: After Russia, now Germany and Japan stand with India; condemn terrorist strike". The Financial Express. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016. {{cite news}}: no-break space character in |title= at position 91 (help)
  46. ^ "Japan, Russia condemns Uri terror attack, express solidarity with India". Yahoo! News. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  47. ^ "Nepal condemns Uri attack - India Live Today". indialivetoday.com. 19 September 2016.
  48. ^ "Russia condemns Uri attack; calls off military exercise with Pakistan". newsx.com. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  49. ^ "Russia hasn't called off joint military drills: Khalilullah". Express Tribune. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  50. ^ [zeenews.india.com/news/india/sri-lanka-condemns-terror-attack-in-kashmirs-uri_1931268.html Sri Lanka condemns terror attack in Kashmir's Uri]
  51. ^ [1] PM Modi on Twitter]
  52. ^ "UAE condemns terrorist attack against Indian military base in Kashmir". Emirates News Agency. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  53. ^ "FCO Press Release: Foreign Secretary condemns attack in Indian-administered Kashmir". Gov.uk. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  54. ^ "Indian Army Brigade Headquarters in Uri". U.S. Department of State. 18 September 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2016.
  55. ^ "UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemns Uri terror attack". Economic Times. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.
  56. ^ "Uri terror attack: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemns act". The Indian Express. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 19 September 2016.

Amit Sharma. "Complete Coverage: URI Attack In 2 Minute (SEPT. 18, 2016) 3:30 AM"

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2016_Uri_attack&oldid=740368512"