MHA issues alert for all airports across country post Uri attack

New Delhi [India], Sept. 18 (ANI): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued alert for all airports across the country in wake of the terrorist attack at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. After postponing his forthcoming visits to the United States and Russia in the wake of the encounter in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has instructed Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior officers in the Ministry of Home Affairs to closely monitor the situation in the Valley. A high-level security meet is presently underway at Rajnath's residence in which senior MHA and MoD officials are present. In a statement, the Army said that a group of heavily armed terrorists targeted the rear administrative base of a unit at Uri, and in the counter action, four terrorists have been eliminated and combing operations are in progress. "The administrative base had large strength of troops of units turning over after their tour of duty who were stationed in tents/temporary shelters which caught fire, and resulted in heavy casualties. We salute the sacrifice of 17 soldiers who were martyred in the operation," the statement added. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh will visit the Valley to take stock of the situation. After postponing his forthcoming visits to the United States and Russia in the wake of the encounter in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has instructed Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior officers in the Ministry of Home Affairs to closely monitor the situation in the Valley. Later in the day, a high level security meet is to take place at Rajnath's residence, in which senior MHA and MoD officials are set to attend. "Keeping the situation of Jammu and Kashmir in mind and in the wake of terror attack in Uri, I have postponed my visits to Russia and the USA . Spoke to Governor & CM of Jammu & Kashmir regarding the terror attack in Uri. They have apprised me of the security situation in the state," Rajnath said in a tweet. As many as 17 Indian Army soldiers were killed in an encounter with terrorists, who were all gunned down, at the Army Brigade headquarters in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir. Around four terrorists attacked the Army Brigade's headquarters in Uri to which the security forces gave a fitting reply. The entire town has been sealed and security on the vital roads connecting Line of Control (LOC) has been beefed up. (ANI)