Major plot to cause terror strikes scuttled
*Troops maintaining high alert on LoC: Brig Comdr
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 8: Army last night foiled a major infiltration bid on the Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote sector of Poonch district by killing two heavily armed militants and recovering large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives from their possession which they were smuggling from Pakistan for terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir.
This was second intrusion bid thwarted by Army on the LoC in Poonch during last about 10 days. On December 29, infiltration attempt by three militants was foiled in Karmara village in which one of the ultras was injured while two escaped back taking the injured along with them.
Killing of two infiltrators, who were equipped with sophisticated weapons and explosives, came as troops were maintaining high alert on the LoC following killing of seven civilians in twin terror strikes at Upper Dhangri in Rajouri district on January 1.
The infiltration bid was scuttled in Balakote sector last night. A massive search operation was underway when the last reports were received but both the militants who tried to enter Poonch from across the LoC have been eliminated, Army officials said.
They added that the militants were trying to take advantage of adverse weather conditions of harsh winter to infiltrate into this side but alert troops were not allowing them to succeed.
A Defence spokesman said troops observed suspicious movement of two infiltrators last night when they were trying to sneak across the LoC in Balakote sector. The troops along the LoC and fence were alerted and kept observing the area.
A landmine exploded after it was triggered by the infiltrating militants.
“Our (Army) troops saw the movement near the fence and engaged the militants by bringing aimed fire onto them. Once the firing had ceased, our troops on the fence and troops on the LoC readjusted the cordon to prevent their escape,” he added.
A night-enabled quadcopter and other surveillance devices were employed to maintain strict vigil in the cordoned area.
“Troops commenced the search operation at 2 am on Sunday. The search was very deliberate as the area is not only undulating with dense undergrowth but is also heavily mined.
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“In the search so far, two bodies have been recovered with weapons, magazines, ammunition and other war-like stores,” the spokesperson said.
The seized arms and ammunition include two AK assault rifles, one Chinese pistol, two Chinese hand grenades and two high explosive IEDs. A mobile phone was also recovered.
As per the sources, the militants were being pushed into this side from their commanders based in Pakistan and PoJK with the help of Pakistan army and ISI to cause terror attacks in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to create fear psychosis among the people.
“This plot of the militant commanders and Pakistan has been scuttled with the killing of militants,” they added.
Meanwhile, Commander, Krishna Ghati Brigade, Brigadier R Krishnan told reporters this afternoon that the Army is maintaining high alert based on intelligence inputs of likely infiltration attempts from across the border.
He said the troops thwarted an infiltration attempt in Krishna Ghati sector on December 29 when they opened fire after observing suspicious movement of three to four infiltrators.
“It was about 7:30 pm (on December 29) when troops picked up the suspicious movement. The weather and visibility were bad due to heavy rains. When the individuals reached closer to the fence, they were observed to be crawling.
“The alert sentries challenged the movement and a firefight broke out between the terrorists and the troops in which one or two terrorists were hit but they were pulled back by the other terrorists into the jungle taking advantage of bad weather conditions,” he said.
Brigadier Krishnan said the area was immediately cordoned off with additional troops.
“As the weather continued to remain bad and the area was thickly wooded and mined, the search operation was launched on the morning of December 30. During the search operation, blood marks were noticed along with four ‘pithoos’ (pouches).
“Large quantities of war-like stores, clothing and subsistence materials were recovered from the ‘pithoos’,” he said.
The recovered items include two pistols with ammunition, two US-made night vision goggles, one binocular, one camcorder with pictures of the terrorists and their training, steel core AK ammunition, combat dress and warm clothing, he added.
“These continuous disruptive attempts by terrorists and inimical forces indicate their desperate efforts to hamper the prevailing peaceful and harmonious situation and the ongoing development in the Jammu region,” Brigadier Krishnan said.
Meanwhile, in view of the recent terror-related incidents, the police and security forces have intensified search operations across the Jammu region ahead of Republic Day celebrations.
The security agencies including the Army have launched a search and cordon operation (SACO) in different areas of Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Reasi districts this morning, the officials said.
They said police assisted by the Army and CRPF are conducting house-to-house searches in dozens of villages in Rajouri including Nowshera, Budhal, Dharamsal and Kalakote besides the forests of Sunderbani and areas along the Line of Control (LoC).
They added that security forces also started house-to-house searches in Thathri and adjoining areas in Doda district, different parts of Kishtwar, Ramban and Reasi districts besides vast areas of Poonch district.
Though there was no specific input about the movement of suspected terrorists, the searches are being carried out to ensure area domination and eliminate any terror threat ahead of Republic Day, the officials said.
They said security forces are keeping a tight vigil in view of the recent attempts of infiltration from across the border.
The officials said security forces have also strengthened security check posts along vital installations and roads while checking and frisking has also been intensified.
The border grid has also been strengthened and night patrolling stepped up to maintain a close vigil to thwart any attempt by anti-national elements to disturb peace ahead of Republic Day, they said.
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