Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 26: Troops gunned down two heavily armed infiltrators along the Line of Control (LoC) at Morha Gap in forward village of Baisalli in Keri sector of Rajouri district this morning while their colleague was either trapped in thick vegetation surrounding the area or had manage to escape back to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The militants were trying to sneak in the day light taking cover of heavy rains in the area when the troops intercepted them, official sources said.
In Poonch sector also, Pakistan Army violated ceasefire for second consecutive day today by resorting to firing at Doda and Sabjian for half an hour trying to give cover to another group of infiltrators almost at the same time when intrusion bid was made in Keri sector.
Meanwhile, troops of Rashtriya Rifles recovered a large quantity of explosive material from Dangari forests in Surankote area of Poonch district and destroyed it on spot.
Sources said three major infiltration attempts by the militants, backed effectively by the Pakistani troops, were made on the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri during past two days when Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi were on a two days visit to the State.
Sources said troops observed movement of three heavily armed militants trying to sneak into the Indian territory between LoC and fencing at Morha Gap in forward village Baisalli of Keri sector at 11 am today. Simultaneously, Pakistan Army violated ceasefire and targeted R-3 Post of Army, which was covering Morha Gap area.
“Firing by Pakistan Army was aimed at giving a cover to the infiltrators,’’ sources said, adding the troops retaliated to neutralize the militants. Exchange of firing continued for about half an hour in which the troops succeeded in killing two militants. Fate of the third militant was not known,’’ sources said, adding the third militant was either hiding in thick vegetation surrounding the area or had retreated to PoK.
Troops didn’t suffer any casualties or damage in the firing.
Bodies of two slain militants were lying between LoC and fencing along with arms and ammunition they were carrying with them. The bodies hadn’t been retrieved from the area till tonight in view of heavy rains and continued intermittent firing by the Pakistani troops.
Troops were maintaining a strict surveillance along the LoC to ensure that lone surviving militant didn’t manage to intrude inside the Indian territory.
SSP Rajouri Mubassir Latifi said police parties from Chingus Police Post have also been put on high alert in the area.
Pakistan Army also opened firing at Khalsa-2 and Shardal posts of the Indian Army at Sabjian sub sector of Poonch district at 10.45 am today. The firing was aimed at pushing another group of three to four militants into the Indian side but retaliation by the troops forced the infiltrators to revert back to their side.
Yesterday, Pakistan Army had opened firing at Durga and Tara posts in Digwar sector of Poonch in violation of ceasefire agreement.
Sources pointed out that all three ceasefire violations in Rajouri and Poonch districts during past two days took place in the day-light and were aimed at facilitating infiltration by the militants.
As reported, Pakistan Army has recently changed its strategy of pushing the militants during day-time especially in adverse weather conditions as they all out attempts of infiltrating militants during the night had failed.
Meanwhile, troops of Rashtriya Rifles unit of counter-insurgency Romeo Force today recovered a large quantity of explosive material from Dangari forests, about eight kilometers from Surankot in Poonch district.
Recoveries included 12 kg nitroglycerine based explosive, five gelatin sticks and a remote control device.
Recoveries were made during a search operation conducted by the troops, sources said, adding the militants might have dumped the material in the forests to fabricate explosive devices.
A Bomb Disposal Squad of the Army destroyed the entire explosive material in the forest area.
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