Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 12: Army today foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district and killed three militants.
Reports said that Army noticed the movement of 5-6 militants near Gail Gali post in Keran sector of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district last night. They were challenged by the troops deployed along the LoC leading to a fierce gun battle in which three militants were killed. The rest of the members of the group fled under the cover of darkness and dense foliage.
Army conducted searches in the dawn and recovered three bodies of militants and arms and ammunition. The recovered arms and ammunition include three AK 47 rifles, one UBGL, 12 AK magazines, 300 rounds of AK 47, eight grenades and other warlike stores.
Army conducted the search of the forest area in Keran to ensure that no militant group has managed to infiltrate.
This is the seventh infiltration bid that was foiled this year by Army along LoC in Kashmir in which 15 infiltrators were killed. Army also lost three men in its fight against the infiltrators on the LoC this year.
Last year, Army killed 59 militants along the LoC which is highest so far in past over a decade.
Army says over 200 heavily armed militants are waiting across the LoC for infiltration and Army has stepped up vigil so as to prevent them from infiltrating.
A Srinagar-based Defence spokesman said here that an attempt of infiltration by heavily armed terrorists in Keran sector of frontier Kupwara Division was foiled on the intervening night of July 11 and 12 by the vigilant Army personnel deployed along the Line of Control resulting into killing of three terrorists and recovery of weapons and warlike stores. The bodies of three militants have been recovered. However, identification and affiliated outfit is yet to be carried out.
The spokesman said: “A group of terrorists were spotted moving from PoK towards Line of Control at midnight of 11/12 July. The robust counter infiltration grid in place immediately picked up the terrorists and kept then under constant surveillance till they reached the LoC Fencing. The terrorists moved towards the LoC Fencing and attempted to cut the fencing and cross over. The terrorists were then effectively engaged by the vigilant soldiers deployed along the Line of Control. An intense gunfight ensued which resulted in elimination of three terrorists and recovery of arms and ammunition.
“Lt General Subrata Saha, GOC Chinar Corps, commended the officers and soldiers for their vigil, alertness and determination leading to successful elimination of three terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control”, the spokesman added.
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