Security men near the Army unit that came under attack. PTI

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Nagrota (JAMMU), November 29

Stunned by the pre-dawn terror strike at the highly fortified Army formation, shopkeepers of Nagrota and adjoining areas downed their shutters throughout the day as a mark of respect to the soldiers who attained martyrdom in the attack.Although a large number of locals were seen standing on both sides of the three-kilometre stretch from Kol Kandoli temple to Nagrota bazaar on the old Jammu-Srinagar highway, an eerie silence prevailed in the entire belt. The locals were disturbed when they received information about the death of seven Army personnel, including two officers, in the suicide attack, which took place at 5.25 am.“We woke up to deafening sounds of guns. Initially, we thought the Army was conducting a firing practice as is normally done in the area. However, when the firing intensified, we got scared,” said Anil Sharma, a school lecturer. “After some time, we got the information about the terror attack on the Army formation at Kour Jagir near a bridge on the Balone Nullah,” he said.Around 6 am, a group of over 50 youths gathered at the main chowk of Nagrota to express solidarity with the soldiers. They were seen clearing the road for the movement of Army vehicles.As initial reports suggested that two soldiers were injured, people opened their business establishments. However, as soon as the reports came that the toll had risen, shopkeepers downed their shutters as a mark of respect for them.