2016 Uri attack

Part of the Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir

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Location in Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir

2016 Uri attack (Jammu and Kashmir)

Location Near Uri, Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir,

Kashmir

Date 18 September 2016

5:30 am (IST)

Attack type insurgency, guerrilla warfare

Weapons 4 AK-47 rifles, 4 under barrel grenade launchers, 5

hand grenades, 9 UBGL grenades[1]

Deaths 28 (21 soldiers, 7 terrorists)[2][3]

Injured 19–30[4][5][6]

Perpetrators Jaish-e-Mohammed[7]

Defenders Indian Army

Indian Army 4 Para (Special Forces)[8]

Background

Since 2015, the militants had increasingly taken to high-profile fidayeen attacks against the
Indian security forces: in July 2015, three gunmen attacked a bus and police station in
Gurdaspur and earlier in 2016, 4–6 gunmen attacked the Pathankot Air Force Station. Indian
authorities blamed Jaish-e-Mohammad for the latter attack.[12]
Also, since 8 July 2016, the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has been undergoing
continuous unrest following the killing of Burhan Wani, a militant leader popular with the youth in
the state.[13][14][15][16] The killing sparked violent protests against the Indian government in the
valley,[17][18] leading to the protests being described as the "largest anti-India protests" against
Indian rule in recent years.[15][19][20]

Attack

At around 5:30 a.m. on 18 September, four terrorists attacked an Indian Army brigade
headquarters in Uri, near the Line of Control in a pre-dawn ambush. They were said to have
lobbed 17 grenades in three minutes. As a rear administrative base camp with tents caught fire,
17 army personnel were killed during the attack. An additional 19-30 soldiers were reported to
have been injured. A gun battle ensued lasting six hours, during which all the four militants were
killed.[4][6][21][22][23] Combing operations continued to flush out additional terrorists thought to be
alive.[9]

Most of the soldiers killed were from the 10th battalion, Dogra Regiment (10 Dogra) and 6th
battalion, Bihar Regiment (6 Bihar).[23] One of the injured soldiers succumbed to his injuries on
19 September at RR Hospital in New Delhi, followed by another soldier on 24 September,
bringing the death toll to 19.[2][3][24]

The casualties were primarily believed to have occurred as a result of non-fire retardant
transition tents. This was the time of a troops shift, whereby troops from 6 Bihar were replacing
troops from 10 Dogra. The incoming troops were housed in tents, which are normally avoided in
sensitive areas around the LoC like Uri. The attackers snuck 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.[25][26]

Aftermath

On 19 September, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief of the
Army Staff Dalbir Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other officials of the Home and
Defence ministries met to review the security situation in Kashmir, particularly in areas along the
Line of Control.[27] The National Investigation Agency filed a first information report regarding
the attack and took over the investigation from Jammu and Kashmir Police on 20 September.[28]
Pakistan International Airlines cancelled flights to some parts of Kashmir on 21 September in
the aftermath of the attack.[29] Security around the army installation in Uri was intensified
following the attack, while soldiers on both the Indian and Pakistani side of Line of Control were
placed on high alert.[30]

Postponement of SAARC summit

In the wake of the attack, India cancelled its participation in the 19th SAARC summit to be held
in November in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, saying,
"India has conveyed to current SAARC Chair Nepal that increasing cross-border terrorist attacks
in the region and growing interference in the internal affairs of Member States by one country
have created an environment that is not conducive to the successful holding of the 19th SAARC
Summit in Islamabad in November 2016." "In the prevailing circumstances, the Government of
India is unable to participate in the proposed Summit in Islamabad", the statement said.[31]

On India withdrawing from the scheduled SAARC summit in Islamabad, Pakistan's Foreign Office
termed the withdrawal "unfortunate", and posted a rejoinder stating: "As for the excuse used by
India, the world knows that it is India that has been perpetrating and financing terrorism in
Pakistan." The statement included a reference to Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav, detained
by Pakistan for espionage, and accused India of violating international laws by interfering inside
Pakistan.[32]

Later, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan also withdrew from the summit.[33][34] On 30
September 2016, Pakistan stated that the summit scheduled for 9 and 10 November in
Islamabad would be held on an alternative date.[35]

Indian retaliation

On 28 September, eleven days after the attack, the Indian Army conducted retaliatory "surgical
strikes" on alleged "launch-pads" used by militants in Pakistan administered Kashmir.[36][37]
Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said that it had made
a preemptive strike against "terrorist teams" who were preparing to "carry out infiltration and
conduct terrorist strikes inside Jammu and Kashmir and in various metros in other states".[38]
The Economist while citing Indian reports, reported that Indian commandos crossed the Line of
Control and struck at the safe houses, allegedly killing approximately 150 Pakistan-sponsored
terrorists.[36] Pakistani officials rejected Indian claims and asserted that Indian Army never
crossed the Line of Control.
Bilateral boycott

Following the uproar after the Uri attack, Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA)
decided to ban all Pakistani actors, actresses and technicians working in India till the situation
returns to normal.[39] Bollywood artists were divided towards the ban with some justifying it
while some questioning its benefits.[40] Indian TV entertainment channel Zindagi announced
discontinuation of airing Pakistani TV shows on the channel.[41] The Pakistani government
responded in October with a blanket ban on all Indian television and radio programming in
Pakistan.[42]

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the national governing body for cricket in India,
ruled out the possibility of reviving bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan in the near future.[43] BCCI
also asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) to not group Indian and Pakistan cricket teams
together in international tournaments, keeping in mind border tensions between the two
countries.[44] Badminton Association of India, the governing body for badminton in India, decided
to boycott the Pakistan International Series scheduled to be held in Islamabad in October, as an
act of "solidarity" with the government's diplomatic offensive against Pakistan.[45]

Investigation

An initial investigation into the attack indicated that there were several procedural lapses at the
camp. According to the standard security procedures, any tall grass and bushes around vital
security installations should be trimmed. However, this procedure was not followed by the Uri
camp which might have allowed terrorists to sneak into the camp undetected using the tall
grass and bushes around the perimeter. In addition, the probe also indicated that two manned
guard posts failed to detect the intrusion because the coordination between them might have
been poor. It also indicated that the terrorists had infiltrated the Indian territory through Haji Pir
Pass on the intervening night of 16–17 September and stayed in Sukhdar village which is
located at a vantage point that allows an unhindered view of the layout of the camp as well as
movement of the personnel in it.[46]

Perpetrators
The Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh briefing the media on the terrorist attack at Army
Camp, in Uri, a day after the attacks, on September 19, 2016.

The Director General of military operations, Lieutenant-General Ranbir Singh, said that there was
evidence that the attackers belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad.[47] He established a hotline contact
with his Pakistani counterpart and conveyed India's serious concern on the issue.[21][48] Singh
also stated that the militants used incendiary ammunition to set fire to the tents.[21][49]

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said:

In the recent incidents, we have recovered a number of items that

include GPS from the bodies of terrorists with coordinates that indicate
the point and time of infiltration across the LoC and the subsequent
route to the terror attack site; grenades with Pakistani markings;
communication matrix sheets; communication equipment; and other
stores made in Pakistan, including food, medicines and clothes.[50]

Whilst, on 29 September, National Investigation Agency officials said:

Until now, little hard evidence has emerged to link the perpetrators of
the terror attack in Uri to specific jihadist groups in Pakistan.[51]

Former Pakistani General Pervez Musharraf said the weapons that India reported as used by
militants, and reported to have Pakistani markings, could be procured anywhere in the world, not
just in Pakistan.[52] Musharraf further said since many American weapons had inadvertently
fallen into the hands of the Taliban, it is possible for Pakistani weapons to have been acquired by
the perpetrators without Pakistani involvement.[53]
On 25 September, the Indian Army said that two Pakistani nationals[a] from Pakistan
administered Kashmir were arrested by the Border Security Force in the Uri sector. They were
said to have been recruited by Jaish-e-Mohammad two years ago for the purpose of acting as
guides to infiltrating groups in the Uri sector. These guides themselves did not have a role in the
Uri attack. They were being questioned for gathering intelligence about infiltration attempts.[54]
Pakistan denied these allegations.[55] On 26 February 2017, India's National Investigative Agency
(NIA) decided to file a closure report after failing to find any evidence against the two men whom
they accused of facilitating the Uri army base attack.[56]

On 25 October 2016, the Indian media reported that street "posters" in Gujranwala, Pakistan,
attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) claimed responsibility for the Uri attack.[57][58] The posters
claimed that one of LeT's fighters Mohammad Anas, code-named Abu Saraqa, died in the Uri
attack, and there would be a funeral prayer followed by a speech by the LeT chief Hafiz Saeed on
25 October. The poster also claimed death of 17 Indian soldiers in Uri attack. After the images of
the poster circulated on the Internet, the organisation claimed that it was a hoax. Abbas Nasir,
the former editor of Dawn, confirmed the report about the posters on Twitter but stated that the
funeral prayers have been postponed.[59]

Reactions

India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of his cabinet condemned the attack.[9] Minister of
Defence Manohar Parrikar and Indian Army chief General Dalbir Singh visited Kashmir soon after
the attack to assess the ongoing military operations and review the security situation in the
region.[60] Parrikar instructed the army to take firm action against those responsible for the
attack and also stated that the deaths of the soldiers "will not go in vain."[61] Home Minister
Rajnath Singh accused Pakistan of what he called its "continued and direct support to terrorism
and terrorist groups," calling Pakistan a "terrorist state" that should be "isolated."[62] Minister of
State for Defence Subhash Bhamre stated that the "entire nation was traumatised" over the
death of the soldiers and 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 some sort of a "response"
needs to be given to Pakistan.[63]

Minister of State for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and former Army chief 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.[64][65] Many Indian
politicians and public figures have condemned the attack.[66] 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.[67] The opposition Indian National Congress has said that there
was no more scope for constructive dialogue with Pakistan.[68]

Later on 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 non-state militant
infrastructure since the likes of 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
suggested that active support for such groups has become the "new normal" in Pakistan. It
claimed that "zero tolerance" to non-state militancy was an international obligation.[69] The
Indian government summoned the Pakistani envoy and handed him a dossier that alleged
Pakistani involvement as well as a warning that Pakistan needs to rein in militants they say
operate from Pakistan.[50]

On 24 September, Prime Minister Modi formally responded to the attack during a BJP rally in
Kozhikode, Kerala; in his address, he charged Pakistan with responsibility for the attack, saying
that India would "never forget" Uri and would "leave no stone unturned to isolate Pakistan in the
world." He called upon the citizens of both India and Pakistan to fight against poverty. "I want to
say that India is ready for a war... India is ready for a war on poverty. Let both countries fight to
see who would eradicate poverty first... I want to tell the youth of Pakistan, let's have a war on
ending unemployment... I want to call out to the children in Pakistan, let's declare war on
illiteracy. Let's see who wins."[70]

In further responding to the attack, on 26 September, the Indian government stated it would
exercise its rights under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty to the full and would expand its utilisation
of its rivers flowing through Jammu and Kashmir. Talks under the aegis of the Permanent Indus
Commission, to which any disputes may be submitted, would cease "until terror comes to an
end." The body had most recently met in July 2016.[71] The government subsequently stated it
would review Pakistan's most-favoured-nation (MFN) trade status, which India had granted in
1996.[72]

Pakistan
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry rejected India's allegations of involvement in the attack. The ministry
asserted that India had a "tendency" of accusing Pakistan for incidents inside its territory, adding
that "in the past many Indians were involved in the terrorist acts for which India had blamed
Pakistan."[73] The ministry deemed Indian statements as "vitriolic."[74] During a press conference
in London, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif linked the incident to the recent unrest and
human rights issues in Kashmir.[75] Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan said there were several
contradictions within Indian media reports over the evidence, and claimed India was imposing
censorship when their "lies were exposed."[76][77] Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif
termed the attack an "inside job", saying that no proof was provided substantiating India's
allegations, and said India was not serious about solving the Kashmir dispute.[78][79] Pakistan's
envoy in New Delhi, Abdul Basit, told India's Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar that India sought to
divert world attention from state atrocities in Kashmir by blaming the attack on Pakistan. Basit
also added that if India was serious about the investigations, it should not avoid allowing
independent investigators to probe it.[55]

In the hours following the attack, Pakistan's military established a hotline with the Indian military.
The Pakistani military rejected Indian accusations, saying that infiltration was not possible
across the heavily guarded LOC. Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations also asked
the Indian military to provide actionable intelligence.[73]

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif claimed that India was propagating a "hostile
narrative" in response the attack and also stated that the Pakistani armed forces were "prepared
to respond to the entire spectrum of direct and indirect threat."[80]

In response to India's suspension of cooperation over the Indus Waters Treaty, Sartaj Aziz said
India could not revoke the treaty unilaterally as per the IWT's provisions and international laws,
and said such a move would be taken as an act of "war and hostilities." Aziz said Pakistan would
approach the United Nations Security Council in that event.[81]

International Reactions

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."[82]
 Armenia – Armenia condemned the attack and expressed condolences to "families of
killed and friendly people of India".[83]

Bahrain – Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed the nation's "full support to the
friendly Republic of India in their actions to counter terrorism" and called for "concerted efforts
to eliminate it (terrorism) and cut off its funding."[83]

Bangladesh –Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali [84] condemned
the attack.[85] Bangladesh – MOFA has not yet released a press release.[86] The country has
also withdrawn from the 19th SAARC summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan.[87]

Bhutan – The Foreign Ministry issued a statement that read: "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."[88]

Canada – Acting High Commissioner Jess Dutton issued a statement condemning the
attack and extending Canada's condolences to the victims and their families. "We are appalled
by these attacks and stand with the Government of India in the fight against terrorism."[89]

China – The 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.[90]

France – The 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."[91] France also called for "decisive actions" against anti-India terrorist organisations,
including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen.[92]

Germany – Minister of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the attack and
said, "our thoughts are with the families of the murdered soldiers and with the many people
who have been injured, some seriously."[93] 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.".[93]

Italy – Minister of Foreign Affairs Paolo Gentiloni condemned the attack "in Indian-
administered Kashmir." He offered "deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to
the Indian authorities," also affirming "Italy's solidarity with India in a common fight against
terrorism to promote peace and security in the world."[94]

Japan – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement which read: "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."[95]

Maldives – Maldives condemned the attack, saying that it has "always condemned
international terrorism, especially those originating from outside, defeating and eliminating
which requires international collaboration and cooperation in good faith."[83]

Mauritius – Mauritius condemned the attack and said that it "stands in solidarity with the
Government of India and with all those committed to the fight against terrorism."[83]

Mongolia – Mongolia expressed its deep regret in regards to the attack and said that the
"terrorist attack must not be a disruption of efforts for strengthening the regional stability and
mutual understanding in the region."[83]

Nepal – In a message to his Indian counterpart, 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. He reiterated the Nepali government's position of unequivocally condemning non-
state militancy 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.[96][97]

Qatar – Qatar condemned the attack, stressing its "condemnation of such criminal acts
which aim to undermine security and stability."[83]

Russia – The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the attacks, and
also offered condolences to the families of victims. The Ministry also expressed concern
about the terrorist attacks near the Line of Control stating, "We are also concerned about the
fact that, according to New Delhi, the army base near Uri was attacked from Pakistani
territory." The ministry added, "We believe that this criminal act will be investigated properly,
and that its organisers and perpetrators will be held accountable. We confirm our continued
support for the Indian government's counterterrorism efforts."[98] On 19 September, Indian
media claimed that Russia was cancelling a joint military exercise with Pakistan that had been
scheduled to begin on 24 September.[99] However, Russian forces arrived in Pakistan on 23
September and commenced the exercises as scheduled.[100]

Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia expressed its "strong condemnation and denunciation of the
terrorist attack that targeted an Indian military base in the Uri area of north Kashmir, killing and
wounding dozens."[101]

Singapore – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong condemned the attack during an official visit
to India on 4 October. "Singapore condemns terrorism in all forms and we express
condolences to the victims of the terror attack in Uri."[102]

Sri Lanka – President Maithripala Sirisena called PM Modi to condemn the attack and
offered condolences to the families of the victims.[103] The Foreign Ministry issued a
statement that read the 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."[104] On 30 September, Sri
Lanka postponed its participation for the SAARC summit, saying the prevailing environment in
the region was not conducive.[105]

South Korea – South Korea extended its "deepest condolences and sympathy to the
innocent victims of the terrorist attack and their bereaved families," adding that terrorism is an
unjustifiable crime against humanity.[83]

Turkey – Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing sorrow over the
"heinous attack," extending its condolences "to the families of soldiers who lost their lives" and
wishing those injured a speedy recovery. The ministry said it was "deeply concerned about the
increasing tension and casualties occurring recently in Jammu and Kashmir," and expressed
hope that problems would be "settled through dialogue and within the framework of the
relevant UN resolutions."[106]

UAE – The 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.[107]

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."[108]

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."[109]
The Chairman of the US House Subcommittee on Terrorism, Congressman Ted Poe from
Texas, along with Dana Rohrabacher from California, introduced a bill in the House of
Representatives calling for a declaration of Pakistan as a "state sponsor of terrorism." The bill
HR6069 requires the president to issue a report within 90 days detailing Pakistan's role in
supporting international terrorism followed by discussion from the US Secretary of State. Ted
Poe said in a statement that Pakistan was not only an untrustworthy ally but it has also aided
and abetted the enemies of the United States. He called the Uri attack the "latest consequence
of Pakistan's longstanding irresponsible policy of supporting and providing operational space
for 'jihadi' terrorist groups".[110][111]
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."[112]

Supranational bodies
UN – On 19 September, Ban Ki-moon, the spokesperson of the Secretary-General of the
United Nations, issued a statement which 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 the army base will be identified and brought to
justice.[113]

EU – An EU spokesperson issued a statement calling for solidarity against non-state

militancy and expressing condolences to the families of the victims of the attack. "Yesterday's
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."[114]