Samba, Jammu

"See Samba (disambiguation) for other meanings"

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Samba | type = city | latd = 32.57 | longd = 75.12
locator_position = right | state_name = Jammu and Kashmir
district = Jammu
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 384
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 19,961| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
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Samba is a district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Samba town was administered under Jammu district. Now the district itself covers adjoining tehsils namely, Vijaypur and village Supwal. The district is separated from the Jammu district by "Purmandal Bridge". The main industrial area of Bari Brahmna which earlier used to fall under Jammu district has now been included in Samba district.

Geography

Samba is located at coord|32.57|N|75.12|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/12/Samba.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Samba] ] . It has an average elevation of 384 metres (1259 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Samba had a population of 19,961. Males constitute 65% of the population and females 35%. Samba has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 68%. In Samba, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Terrorist Strike

On 9th May 2008, around 15 to 20 militants tried to infiltrate the Samba border from Pakistan into India. India's Border Security Force (BSF) fought and exchanged fire with the militants to push them back to Pakistan. BSF later quoted that the militants could not have come to the border without the knowledge of Pakistani Rangers.

However, 2 terrorists somehow managed to cross the fenced border on the 9th. On 11th May 2008, these 2 terrorists took six hostages in a home. A gun battle between 6 Garhwal Rifles, along with BSF, and the terrorists lasted almost 12 hours, before the terrorists were killed. 5 people, including 2 Jawans (of 6 Garhwal Rifles and 20 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles), were also killed in the battle.

The situation remained tense the next day, when the 6 Garhwal Rifles again spotted another terrorist in Samba and killed him. As a result, massive combing operations continued for several days to flush out any other remaining terrorist. BSF believes maybe 10 other terrorists sneaked into India on the 9th.

The IB blamed the BSF and has told the Centre that terrorists are exploiting the fact that BSF sometimes lower their vigil during periods of lull.

References