JAMMU, Nov 27:
Ten people including three soldiers, four civilians and three militants, have been killed in an ongoing gun battle along the international border in village Pindi Kathar in Arnia Sub-Sector of Jammu, an official here said.
“The operation is still in progress and so far three soldiers have been martyred while four civilians and three militants were killed,” he said.
The operation has not yet been called off. Army has vacated the village and three tanks have been rushed close to the bunkers to blow them off, apprehending presence of around two more militants.
The dead soldiers have been identified as Naik Kulvinder and Lance Naik Joginder, both of 5 Sikh Li and Naik Pawan Singh of 1 Para.
The civilians killed in the gun battle have been identified as Vikas Sabarwal, son of Thodu Ram, resident of village Alla, Arnia, Kishore Kumar, resident of Bari Brahmana and Vijay Kumar, resident of Batala, Punjab.
Two army jawans, who were trapped near the encounter site, were also rescued, he added.
One of the civilians was shot dead after he was kidnapped by a group of militants along with his car in the morning.
“The militants took shelter inside the Army bunkers after entering two km inside the border,” he said and added that locals on seeing the movement of militants early this morning informed the BSF and army authorities following which a cordon was laid and the encounter started.
Sources, however, said that around five civilians have also sustained injuries in the incident.
The operation was still in progress, they added.
In a separate operation, Army foiled an infiltration bid and arrested a militant along with arms and ammunition in Nowshera sector of Rajouri.
“Infiltration bid was foiled near Leharan Company Operating Base in Lam Battalion area this morning at 0630 hours,” official sources here said.
They said, ” Alert troops noticed suspicious movement near LC. The troops responded immediately and in the ensuring cordon and search, they arrested an individual.”
One AK 47 with 30 rounds, one Pakistan made pistol and Rs 8,100 Pakistan currency was recovered from his possession. The arrested individual has been identified as Adul Qayoomi alias Punjabi, resident of Leheran. (AGENCIES)
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