DHAKA: In a major fidayeen attack, militants dressed in army fatigues have killed at least 12 people in a police station and an Army cantonment in Jammu and Kashmir this morning. Over a dozen people are injured and more casualties are feared.

The militants first attacked a police station in Hiranagar of Kathua district in Jammu, killing four cops and two civilians. They escaped in a truck that they hijacked after killing the driver and surfaced in an Army cantonment in the adjoining Samba district, where they have reportedly killed at least six Army personnel.

There was reportedly confusion and chaos at the cantonment, which houses an armoured corp unit, as the militants are dressed in Army uniform. They were not stopped at the gate and walked into a mess, where they attacked and killed unarmed soldiers.

The heavily armed militants have now been reportedly identified and surrounded. A gun-battle is on.

The audacious attack comes only a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh confirmed that he will meet Pakistan`s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the US on the sidelines of a United Nations session. The two leaders are expected to meet on Sunday. (Read story)

Kashmir watchers say militants tend to step up attacks just before a round of talks between India and Pakistan.

The fidayeen or suicide commandos attacked the Hiranagar police station at about 7 this morning. Shooting at policeman caught unaware, they managed to go up to the roof of the building, from where they lobbed grenades.

Hiranagar in Kathua is about a kilometre from the border with Pakistan and the militants are believed to have infiltrated into India recently.

Intelligence sources said all units in the region had been alerted that a fidayeen group had entered Jammu. This is the first fidayeen attack in the Jammu region of the state in over a decade.

Source: 1022 HRS, SEP 26, 2013
AKA/BSK