Timing of Arnia attack not a coincidence: Omar Abdullah

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said it "cannot be a coincidence" that the Arnia militant attack came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif attended the SAARC summit.

"The timing of the attack in Arnia can't be a coincidence. My condolences to the family of the army officer killed in Arnia," Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.

The chief minister said, "some things will never change", apparently referring to the militant violence taking place whenever the Prime Ministers or other high officials of the two countries meet or hold talks.

"Some things will never change, SAARC summit is on, Ind & Pak PMs (sic) at the same venue and a fierce encounter breaks out in Jammu," he said.

Omar said the sensitive places have been put on high alert and the situation is being closely monitored.

"All police nakas along the NH (national highway) in Jammu and other sensitive locations have been put on high alert & the situation is being closely monitored," he said.

A jawan was killed and three others were injured today after a fierce gunbattle broke out between security forces and militants who had sneaked into Arnia border sector.