Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 20: Army today foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector when a group of 5-6 militants tried to infiltrate into Kashmir.
Sources said that at least 5-6 militants tried to infiltrate into Uri sector early today but the Army foiled their attempt and a massive operation is going on near the LoC.
They said that the alert Army jawans noticed the movement of a militant near fence in Baaz area of Kamalkote near the LoC fence. He said that group had come through a nallah and Army jawans noticed one of them trying to cross the fence and he was challenged by the troops.
Sources said that the militants fled through the nallah into Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Army troops were rushed to the area and massive searches have been launched. Six Army jackets, six blankets, six rucksacks, 20 batteries, a wireless set, dry fruit and Pak make medicine was recovered during the searches.
Kamalkote is the traditional infiltration route for the militants and in early 1990s it was the major infiltration route. However, it was later abandoned by the infiltrators after Army intensified vigil in the area. This route is nearest and easiest for infiltration and for last two years militants have reactivated it.
This is the second major infiltration attempt that was foiled in North Kashmir since May 6. On May 6, Army foiled a major infiltration bid in Kupwara sector and one Army person was killed in the operation.
Sources said that the militants have intensified their efforts to infiltrate into Kashmir this month after the improvement in weather. They said that the number of militants, ready to infiltrate into Kashmir, at the launch pads across the LoC in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) has increased and has gone past 200.
Sources said that in this year’s winters, 50-70 militants were at the launch pads near 400 kilometer long LoC in PoK ready for infiltration into Kashmir. The number has now increased and it has gone past 200 and more militants continue to arrive at 12 launch pads on the LoC.
Sources said that the infiltration attempts this year continued in January and February as well and some of the groups even managed to infiltrate.
They said the pressure on militants for infiltration has increased as security forces this year killed 35 militants in operations so far.
Army has already intensified its vigil along the LoC to prevent any infiltration from across the LoC.
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