13 Armymen, 3 civilians killed in 'fidayeen' attack

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, NOV. 18. At least 13 Armymen and three civilians were killed when a suicide squad of the Lashkar-e-Taiba attacked a convoy near Maitra Bridge on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway today. Two of the attackers were killed in retaliatory fire while one escaped.

The militants hurled a number of grenades and then resorted to heavy firing at the soldiers. Sources said 10 soldiers died on the spot while one succumbed to injuries on way to hospital. The identity of the three civilians killed in the crossfire is yet to be ascertained. Around 30 soldiers were injured in the attack and were rushed to various hospitals. Some of the seriously injured were airlifted to the Army hospital in Udhampur, sources said. The condition of some is stated to be critical.

Army sources said one of the killed militant was identified as Irshad of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. The identity of the other militant, who is probably a foreigner, is yet to be ascertained.

The security forces have launched a massive operation to track down the militants. Senior security officials rushed to the spot.

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