Dreaded Pak ultra killed, 2 injured; others escape in LoC gunbattle

Pak made drugs and drinks recovered from the encounter site on LoC at Keri in Rajouri on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Pak made drugs and drinks recovered from the encounter site on LoC at Keri in Rajouri on Tuesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 21: The BSF achieved a major success when it thwarted infiltration attempt by four heavily armed militants from Pakistan, killing one of them and forcing three others to retreat, two of them in an injured condition in forward area of Rattal Basali along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keri sector of Rajouri district in the wee hours of this morning.
Apart from arms, ammunition and explosives, the BSF have recovered large quantity of Pakistan made items from the site of encounter, which probed involvement of Pakistan army in facilitating the infiltration attempt into the Indian territory.
Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontiers, Ramawatar told newspersons at the BSF Headquarters this afternoon that a group of four militants tried to infiltrate into this side from Keri sector in early hours of the morning but were encountered by the alert jawans of BSF, who were deployed in the area.
The BSF, he said, observed the infiltration attempt and waited for the militants to reach close to the border fence before challenging them.
An encounter took place between the two sides that continued for about an hour between 12 am to 1 am in which one of the militants was gunned down by the BSF personnel while three others, finding the BSF jawans on high alert, retreated to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The surveillance gadgetry installed by the BSF along the LoC showed that two militants had been injured in the gunbattle as one of them was being carried back to PoK by his colleague on the shoulders while another one was visibly hit with bullets on the leg. However, taking cover of darkness and support from across the border, the militants managed to retreat to PoK.
The BSF didn’t suffer any casualties in the gunbattle.
In the morning, the BSF personnel conducted searches along the LoC and recovered body of the slain ultra between the border fencing. A large quantity of arms, ammunition and Pakistan made items were also recovered from the site of encounter.
Drugs manufactured by Howards at Lahore Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works (Private) Limited, 137-Ferorezepur Road, Lahore, juice packets of National Fruitily at National Foods Limited 160-C, S.I.T.E, Karachi Pakistan and Nestle Milk, Made in Pakistan were also recovered from the slain militants, which indicated that the militants had been sent by Pakistan with the objective of carrying out suicide attack on security installations on this side. The food and juice packets and drugs were meant for prolonging the gunbattle.
Other recoveries included one AK-56 rifle with 16 magazines and 267 live rounds, 89 rounds of AK EFC Series, one radio set, one binocular, five grenades, three wire cutters, four bags, two IEDs, one IED fitted with AK magazine, one knife, 48 pencil cells, two chargers, four walking sticks, bottles filled with liquid material used to causing fire, five pairs of hand gloves, rain coats, jackets, bed sheets, dry fruits and other eatables.
Sources said the slain militant was believed to be a Pakistani though his identity and militant outfit haven’t been established. The militants, who escaped back to PoK, were also stated to be the Pakistani nationals.
Replying to questions, the IG BSF said the number of militants camping across the International Border or Line of Control was immaterial for the BSF, which was focusing on eliminating the militants as and when they try to infiltrate into the Indian territory.
“We are always on the alert. Our focus is on thwarting infiltration attempts and killing/capturing the militants. Since November 29, 2016 when three militants, who had infiltrated from a tunnel in Ramgarh sector, we have successfully foiled 11 infiltration bids along International Border and 15 along Line of Control in Jammu region. The BSF is fully committed to maintain sanctity of the IB and effectively guarding the LoC,’’ Ramawatar said.
He added that alertness level of the BSF is very high and it was determined to foil all infiltration attempts in its area of operation.
Reliable sources, however, said that presence of militants on Pakistan side of International Border and Line of Control has increased during the past few days, which could lead to further increase in infiltration attempts. Army and BSF were maintaining high alert along LoC and IB to ensure that the militants don’t manage to infiltrate.

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