Plot to carry out terror strikes in twin districts foiled
Thermal image shows infiltration bid backed by Pak army
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 17: Army today foiled a major infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati (KG) sector killing two militants while three to four other militants were trapped in gun battle with the troops between Sindarah and Maidana in Surankote tehsil of Poonch district.
While two infiltrators were eliminated by the troops when they were trying to breach LoC in KG sector early today, three to four militants were trapped in hinterland between Sindarah and Maidana areas of Surankote tehsil in Poonch district in an encounter with the Army.
Troops were carrying out search operations in Surankote since this morning following inputs about presence of three to four militants and a contact with them was established this evening leading to fierce exchange of gun fighting.
“Based on specific intelligence, a joint cordon and search operation was launched in general area of Sindarah & Maidana near Surankote tehsil, Poonch by troops of Indian Army, SOG and JKP,” Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a tweet.
It said contact was established with the hiding militants, leading to an intense gunfight.
The encounter was continuing when reports last came in.
It was yet to be confirmed whether the militants trapped in encounter were part of freshly infiltrated group or were already camping in upper reaches of Surankote. As it was dark when contact with the militants was established, additional troops were rushed to the spot and all escape routes are being plugged to ensure that the militants don’t manage to escape taking cover of darkness.
Some locals had also sounded Army and Police about movement of the militants in upper reaches of Surankote for last two days.
Militants involved in three major terror attacks this year including Dhangri and Keri in Rajouri district and Mendhar in Poonch have also remained untraced so far. Seven civilians were killed by the militants at Dhangri on January 1 while five Army soldiers attained martyrdom at Bhatta Durrian in Mendhar area of Poonch on April 20 and five para commandos sacrificed their lives at Keri in Rajouri on May 5.
Meanwhile, Army killed two militants and foiled a major infiltration bid along the LoC in KG sector of Poonch district this morning and averted plot to carry out terror strikes in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
While body of one militant was recovered from the site, the second ultra fell into the Poonch river after being shot.
It was a joint operation by the Army and Jammu Kashmir Police carried out on the intervening night of July 16-17 in the Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch district, the officials said, adding arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site.
The operation was launched after the alert troops noticed suspicious movement from across the LoC towards the Indian side near the Poonch river.
Army and J and K Police personnel set up anti-infiltration posture in multiple tiers to prevent any militants from entering or escaping, he said.
The exchange of fire began in the early hours and the two militants were hit. “One of the militants fell on the spot while the other was observed falling in the Poonch river,” the officials said.
“Operation Bahadur in Poonch Sector. A major infiltration bid was eliminated in a joint operation by Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police during the night of July 17 in Poonch Sector. Two infiltrators have been eliminated,” the White Knight Corps said in a tweet.
Efforts are underway to trace body of the militant who fell in the river. Major “war like stores” including one AK-74 rifle with magazine, 11 rounds and other items for sustenance were recovered from the site of encounter.
The Army also released thermal images showing the infiltration bid. The attempt was backed by Pakistani troops.
The militants were trying to enter into Poonch with a plot to carry out terror attacks in the border districts. The security forces continue to remain alert on the Line of Control and are fully prepared to thwart such attempts in the future too, the officials said.
An increase in infiltration bids has been witnessed this year in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
On July 11, one militant was killed when Army troops foiled an infiltration in Nowshera area along the LoC in Rajouri district.
An Indian Army soldier was injured in an exchange of fire with militants attempting to cross the Line of Control in the Poonch district on June 24.
Eight days before that, an infiltration bid was foiled along the LoC in Poonch and a large consignment of arms and ammunition was seized on June 16.
Three militants were killed when an infiltration bid was foiled in Poonch on May 31. On May 20, one militant was killed in Poonch when the Army foiled an intrusion bid.
Meanwhile, Army and SOG recovered four grenades during a search operation in Kala Jhula forest area of Naika Majari in Mendhar this evening. One person has been detained in this connection.
Meanwhile, a soldier was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside a military camp in Poonch district.
The soldier, a Naik, was found dead inside his barrack by his colleagues when he failed to respond to their call for duty at a forward location during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.
The soldier was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead by the doctors, the officials said, adding police have started inquest proceedings to ascertain the cause of his death.
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