*Spurt in infiltration bids aimed at stepping up militancy
Now, police to be deployed along with Army on LoC
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 6: A day after one Pakistani militant was eliminated and his associate escaped in Chassana area of Reasi district, troops today gunned down two more foreign ultras after fierce exchange of gun battle on the Line of Control (LoC) in Mandi sector of Poonch district who were trying to infiltrate into this side as per Pakistan plot of stepping-up militancy in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts.
A large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives have been recovered from the possession of slain militants, the officials said.
This year, troops have foiled a series of infiltration attempts on the LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch eliminating nearly 22 militants besides half a dozen others in the hinterland. Possibility of some successful intrusions has also not been ruled out especially after the killing of four militants at Surankote and one each at Gundna Khwas in Budhal; Dhakkikot and Chassana in Reasi district.
“The militant outfits, mainly Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has been trying to intensify militant activities in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts by pushing trained ultras into this side. Most of their plans have been thwarted after three major terror incidents at Dhangri, Bhatta Durrian and Kandi in the twin districts,” the sources said.
Officials said Army observed movement of the militants trying to breach the LoC in Sabjian area of Mandi sub sector of Poonch district and alerted troops in the area who challenged the militants in the midnight last night. In the wee hours of this morning, heavy exchange of gun fighting took place between two sides in which two militants were killed.
However, there were no casualties on Army side.
While the body of one militant has been recovered along with war-like stores, a search operation for the body of the second is underway, Jammu-based Defence PRO Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said.
“A joint operation was launched by the Indian Army and police immediately to intercept the militants. The hostile terrain, dense jungle and steep gradient were utilized by the militants to bring down a heavy volume of fire on the troops,” the PRO said, adding both the militants were eliminated this morning.
Officials said the militants were noticed moving towards the border fence in Sabjian area of Mandi taking cover of the darkness shortly after the midnight.
Reinforcements were rushed to the area and a fierce gun battle between the two sides started when the troops confronted the infiltrating terrorists, the officials said, adding the security forces suffered no casualty in the encounter.
The encounter along the LoC comes just two days after security forces gunned down a hardcore militant in the remote Gali Sohab village in the Tuli area of Reasi district.
However, another militant had managed to escape. A massive search operation launched to nab him entered the third day today, the officials said, adding both slain and absconding militants were Pakistanis and belonged to the LeT outfit.
The border districts of Poonch and Rajouri have witnessed several encounters this year, resulting in the killing of around 22 terrorists and 10 security personnel.
Most of the terrorists were killed while attempting to sneak into this side from across the border, the officials said.
Meanwhile, according to sources, a decision has been taken to deploy police at some points on the LoC with Army to counter infiltration attempts.
“Deployment of police will ensure that even if the militants slipped from the LoC, the route they can take to reach their hideouts is easily identified by the police whose personnel are mostly locals and well versed with the terrain,” the officials said.
In some of the areas, police personnel have already been deployed on the LoC, they added but said the troops will be mainly responsible for guardign the LoC.
This year began with the killing of seven civilians of minorities in Dhangri area of Rajouri district by two militants followed by loss of lives of five Army bravehearts at Bhatta Durrian in Mendhar on April 20 and five more para commandos in an encounter at Kandi forests of Rajouri.
However, the Army, CRPF and police later intensified operations on the LoC as well as hinterland and killed four militants at Surankote. Three more militants have been killed in Darhal, Dhakkikot and Chassana areas of Rajouri and Reasi districts.
There were reports that nearly a dozen militants could still be active in Rajouri and Poonch districts.
Nearly 22 militants have been killed on the LoC.
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