Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 13: A massive search operation has been launched in the dense woods near the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector where three out of eight infiltrators were killed by alert troops yesterday. There was no contact with the militants after initial encounter in which three heavily armed militants were killed, official sources said here today.
A senior police officer said eight militants had infiltrated into this side from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) during the intervening night of July 11 and 12. However, three of them were eliminated and search for remaining was continuing near LoC woods. A defence ministry spokesman Colonel N N Joshi had said troops guarding the LoC noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side by cutting the fencing in the wee hours. However, troops kept the militants under surveillance till they reached near a particular area, where they were challenged and asked to surrender. Militants resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, he said, adding that troops also retaliated and killed all the three militants. The bodies of militants have been recovered, he said, adding that identification of the deceased militants and their tanzeem is yet to be carried out. He said three AK 47 Rifles, one UBGL, 12 AK Magazines, 300 rounds of AK 47, eight grenades and other war-like stores were recovered. Lt Gen Subrata Saha, GOC Chinar Corps commended the officers and soldiers for their vigil, alertness and determination leading to successful elimination of three ultras.
The infiltration bid comes less than a week after two BSF personnel were killed when Pakistani troops violated ceasefire and targeted Indian forward posts in Nowgam sector.
Troops have failed a number of infiltration attempts since snow on upper reaches started melting on LoC. About 29 militants were killed on the LoC and within the valley during the past few months.
However, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kupwara, Aijaz Ahmad said there were eight militants who had sneaked into this side from PoK. He said a massive search is going on to get remaining five militants. |
