Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 7: Army today foiled a major infiltration bid in North Kashmir’s Macchil sector of Kupwara district killing 5 infiltrating militants and recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunition from them while a militant was killed in South Kashmir during the night while two managed to escape under the cover of darkness and stone pelting.
Army’s 57 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) noticed the movement of 5 infiltrators near Dat Post in Kamkadi area of Macchil sector of Kupwara at around 5 p.m today. They were challenged by the troops leading to an encounter in which five militants were killed.
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Army recovered five AK-47 rifles and huge quantity of ammunition from the killed militants. They also recovered dry fruits and war like stores. The search operation in the area is going on.
Sources said that these infiltrators made an attempt during the night on July 29 and 30 but went back to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) after seeing huge army deployment of the LoC.
The Army has launched massive searches in North Kashmir along the LoC after reports that large number of militants are waiting on the launch pads in PoK for sneaking into Kashmir during the summer. Security forces achieved major success this year and killed over 120 militants.
A soldier was critically injured this evening in sniping by Pakistani troops along the LoC in Uri sector of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
A soldier deployed in forward area was hit by a sniper in his head injuring him critically. He has been airlifted to army’s 92 base hospital Badamibagh, Srinagar for treatment.
Identified as Narendra Singh Bisht, 43, was hit in the helmet and his condition is critical.
And a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant was killed while two others escaped in an encounter between security forces and militants in Samboora village in Pulwama district last night.
The encounter broke out on last night after army and police cordoned off the area following inputs about the presence of militants.
Awantipora Police, 50 RR and CRPF jointly cordoned off the area and during the searches militants fired on the troops leading to an encounter in which the LeT militant, identified as Umer of Pakistan, was killed.
Two militants escaped from the encounter site, one among them was injured. One AK 47 rifle was recovered from the encounter site.
Police said that role of Umar in different crimes perpetrated by Abu Ismail group is being ascertained. Abu Ismail is the top most commander of LeT in South Kashmir after the killing of Abu Dujana last week.
The encounter concluded this morning amid clashes and protests by locals helped the two militants fled from the village.
Amid shutdown in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, clashes erupted between youth and security forces in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Clashes erupted in Pulwama town following the killing of a militant in Samboora during which forces used tear gas canisters to disperse the youth who were throwing stones on them.
Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched in Pinglin area of Pulwama district following the inputs about the presence of militants there during which the youth took to streets and pelted stones on forces.
In North Kashmir, a shutdown was observed in Hajin, Baramulla and Sopore areas today.
All the shops, business establishments and the educational institutes remained closed in these areas today while the traffic was also thin ion the roads.
Meanwhile, the mobile internet services continued to remain suspended in north Kashmir.
The mobile internet services were suspended on Saturday morning following the encounter in Sopore in which three militants were killed.
In the meantime, a weapon snatching bid was foiled today by a J&K Bank guard in Charar-e-Sharief area of Budgam district in Central Kashmir but perpetrators were caught on Close Circuit Television (CCTV) camera.
A police official said that three men attempted to snatch a rifle from a J&K Bank guard in Chrar-i-Sharief area of Budgam district this afternoon. “The policeman deployed at the guard foiled their attempt. The trio managed to escape from the spot but was caught in the CCTV footage. A case has been registered in this regard and investigation taken up,” he said.
The official sought help of the people in identifying and tracking down the perpetrators, saying they will be rewarded. “Anyone who will help the police in identification of the perpetrators will be suitably rewarded and his identity will not be revealed. The person having information about the culprits can inform the SSP Budgam (Mobile No. 8491889376), or SDPO Charar-i-Sharief (Mob No.9906000056) and SHO Charar-i-Sharief (Mobile No. 7051531761),” he added.
Security forces cordoned off Bougam in Kakapora area, Pahoo and BEd College in Pinglana village of Pulwama district today after reports that the militant Ayub Ahmad Lone alias Ayoub Lailhari who was injured in Somber area of Pampore during the encounter last night, was present there. However, during the searches he was not traced.
Security forces this evening cordoned off Rakh Litter area of Pulwama after inputs about presence of a group of militants in the village. However, the search operation was called off but it was re-launched tonight following further inputs.
Police tonight recovered dead body Ishtiaq Ahmad Wagay of Jablipora, Bijbehara in Anantnag, who was a roadside vendor from Alam Gunj area of Shopian. Few gun shots were heard tonight and later residents found a man lying in pool of blood in the village. They informed the police, which recovered the body.
Meanwhile, three militants of Hizbul Mujahideen were trapped by security forces tonight in Drabgam village of Pulwama district. Sources said that 44 RR of Army and Pulwama Police cordoned off the village after inputs that three militants of Hizb are hiding there. Militants fired on troops during searches leading to a gun battle.
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