Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 24: Army today said that it foiled two major infiltration bids by militants since last night along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir.
An Army officer said that troops deployed along the LoC in Gulmarg and Nowgam sectors in North Kashmir foiled two infiltration bids since last night. “Two infiltration attempts by terrorists were foiled during the last 18 hours in Gulmarg and Nowgam sectors in the Kashmir Valley,” he added.
Sources said that alert troops along the LoC pushed back the intruders after heavy exchange of fire. They said that the Army deployed at the forward posts in Nowgam sector noticed the movement of a group of 5-6 heavily armed militants infiltrating into Indian territory in the area.
“The troops challenged the intruders and fired at them leading to a fierce gun battle. But they fled back towards the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) under the cover of darkness”, they said.
The Army has rushed more troops to the area and they are conducting searches to ensure that no militant has managed to sneak in from the group of infiltrators. The search parties have also laid ambushes in the area to tackle members of militant group if anyone is still in the area.
Sources said that troops also noticed movement of a heavily armed group of militants who were accompanied by some guides as well in Gulmarg sector. They said that the infiltrators were challenged by the alert troops leading to a gun battle. They said that the intruders took cover of darkness and boulders to flee back.
Army has launched massive searches in the area against the group to ensure no member has sneaked in. Troops have also intensified patrolling in the area to take on any infiltrated members of the militant group.
Army said that militants are desperate to infiltrate ahead of snowfall along the LoC that will close the mountain passes for the winter making infiltration difficult. They said that over 250 militants are waiting on launch pads along the LoC to infiltrate into Kashmir.
Sources said that Army is alert and has intensified vigil and patrolling along the LoC to foil militant designs. They said that the Pakistani troops are providing cover fire to the militants for infiltration.
Army said that militants are desperate to infiltrate as they have suffered heavy losses this year at the hands of security forces by killing around 130 of them this year which is a record in recent years. Last year, 97 militants were killed.
However, this year has also shown increased infiltration and, as per the official figures, 83 militants have infiltrated so far when the figure for whole of last year was 35.
In the meantime, militants tonight fired two grenades at a police mobile bunker outside Police Station Kral Gund in Handwara area of Kupwara district. They also fired several AK-47 rounds at the police bunker without causing any damage.
Handwara Police and 32 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of Army have launched searches in the area but militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
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