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Jammu: Stepping up violence, heavily-armed militants in military uniform on July 22 stormed an Army camp killing seven jawans and injuring six others at Akhnoor, in the second major strike in Jammu and Kashmir in less than 12 hours prompting the authorities to beef up security for Amarnath and Vaishnodevi pilgrims.

Two militants were killed in the exchange of fire that followed the attack at 05.30 hours (IST) when ultras attacked the camp at Tanda lobbing grenades and firing indiscriminately on security guards, official sources said.

The number of militants involved in the attack was still to be ascertained, Defence spokesman Lt Col R K Sen said.

The attack came nearly eight hours after 6 Vaishnodevi pilgrims were killed and over 40 injured when militants triggered two grenade blasts at Banganga, two kms from Katra, on July 21 night.

No militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the two attacks but police suspect the hand of Pakistan- based militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen behind the grenade blasts on the pilgrims who were on their way to Vaishnodevi.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, who visited Katra on July 22 morning, said the attacks were intended to derail the on-going peace process and confidence building measures between India and Pakistan.

"But we and the people of Jammu and Kashmir will face these challenges," he said adding he has spoken to top army and police officials to take every possible step to ensure safety and security of the pilgrims.

PTI