Uri Attack: How the Events That Martyred 17 Soldiers Unfolded

An army soldier guards the army base in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo: PTI)

On Sunday morning, India woke up to the news of a deadly attack on the 12th Brigade of the Indian Army in Uri sector, Jammu and Kashmir. The horrific attack, attributed to Jaish-e-Mohammad by the Army, killed 17 soldiers, and injured at least 30.

According to sources in the Indian Army, here’s how the events unfolded.

5:15 am: Attack on Administrative Block of Army

At 5:15 am in the wee hours of Sunday morning, terrorists attacked the administrative block of the Army.

The plan, according to Army sources, was three-pronged – to kill unarmed troops, then storm Medical Aid Unit near the Brigade Administrative Area and finally, to explode themselves after entering the officers’ mess.

A map unearthed from the four slain terrorists marked and indicated in Pashtun, suggested this plan.

Fire in Barracks and Tents

Caught in the attack were unarmed soldiers refilling diesel in barrels from fuel tanks. Within three minutes, the terrorists hurled 17 grenades, igniting the diesel dump and causing a massive fire in the barracks and tents.

According to the Army statement, of the 17 soldiers killed, 13 or 14 soldiers died in the fire. They were burnt alive instantaneously.

The militants, however, became disoriented after the explosion and ended up heading straight to the soldiers’ barracks.

The site of the attack in Uri, as seen from an aerial view. (Photo: ANI/Twitter)

Attack Timed Strategically

One of the militants was reportedly gunned down by a 19-year-old Dogra soldier. He sustained severe head injuries when a bullet hit his helmet and was evacuated by his colleagues.

The attack occurred at a time when the turnover – change of duty – was taking place, a time when a unit is most vulnerable. 

Some of the weapons found on the slain terrorists had Pakistani markings, even as the Pakistani army has asked for “actionable intelligence” to investigate matters on their end.

The Prime Minister condemned the attack by saying those who carried out the “deplorable attack will not go unpunished.”

Others in the government, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, took a strong offensive stance against Pakistan and its role in “abetting terror.”