Suspected terrorists wearing Army uniforms opened fire at a bus and attacked a police station in Gurdaspur district early today leaving at least eight dead and four persons injured. Among the dead were six civilians and two police home guards.
Media reports also state that one militant has been killed while a Punjab Special Service Group (SSG) jawan has sustained injuries in the ongoing operations.
The assailants came in a car and opened fire at a moving bus which was coming to Punjab from Jammu and Kashmir on the Amritsar-Pathankot highway. Four passengers who were injured have been hospitalised, SSP Gurdaspur Gurpreet Singh said.
The attackers then entered the Dinanagar police station and opened fire at police personnel. Three persons were injured there, including Dinanagar SHO Mukhtiar Singh, he said.
Security forces and the attackers have been exchanging fire for several hours after the incident, he added.
The area has been cordoned off and additional forces are being rushed to Gurdaspur. Army commandos and a Quick Response Team (QRT) have also been called in.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has reportedly discussed the situation with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and is said to have assured assistance from the central government.
Union Home Secretary L C Goyal has spoken to Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, and is monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, union minister Kiren Rijiju said that he has spoken to the Punjab Police chief who told him that "no one has been taken hostage".
Ref: http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/terrorist-attack-kills-one-in-punjab-town-115072700078_1.html
