Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 27: Pakistan Army resorted to ceasefire violation in Tarkundi area of Balakote sector in Poonch district in early hours of this morning as troops foiled another infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) while Army and police recovered a large quantity of ammunition and explosives in Gandoh area of Doda district today.
Official sources said a group of six to seven militants tried to infiltrate inside the Indian territory from Tarkundi infiltration route of Balakote sector in Poonch district at 12.35 am today. As the militants tried to sneak-in, the Pakistan Army resorted to firing from their posts with a view to give cover to the infiltrators.
Army retaliated effectively and after about an hour long exchange of firing thwarted intrusion bid by the militants, who retreated to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) from where they had been launched.
Defence spokesman Col Manish Mehta said Pakistan Army violated ceasefire agreement by resorting to firing in Bhimber Gali sector from 12.35 am to 1.30 am using small arms and automatic weapons.
“Our troops gave befitting reply using weapons of similar caliber, However, there was no damage or casualties on the Indian side in firing from across the LoC. The incident took place in Gambhir battalion area of 25 Div,’’ Col Mehta said.
Sources said Pakistan Army has repeatedly been trying to give cover to the infiltrating militants but alert troops on this side have thwarted their designs.
“There has been no successful infiltration attempt by the militants on the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri this year so far,’’ they added.
Troops have been maintaining high alert on the LoC following reports that the militants could make attempts to infiltrate from the LoC.
Meanwhile, troops of 26 Rashtriya Rifles of 4 Sector RR, part of Counter Insurgency Force (Delta) and SOG team of Doda police today carried out a joint search operation at Lakhan Dhar in Gandoh area of Doda district and busted a hideout of the militants.
SSP Doda Mohammad Sharief Chouhan said a large quantity of ammunition and explosive material were recovered from the hideout, which has been destroyed.
Recoveries made from the hideout included two RPG launchers, eight UBGL shells, four detonators, 181 SLR rounds, 80 rounds of AK-47/56 rifles, 56 Pika rounds and one remote of Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
Chouhan said the consignment of arms and ammunition had been concealed in a contained and wrapped up with polythene inside the hideout.
“It appears that the consignment of arms and ammunition was stored by the militants operating in the area previously but had now either been killed or migrated to other parts of the State. However, the consignment could have been used to revive subversive activities in parts of Doda district,’’ the SSP Doda said, adding that recovery of the consignment has foiled designs of the militants to revive militancy in Doda.
Chouhan said this is fifth major recovery of arms, ammunition and explosives during the current year. Prior to this, four huge recoveries were made jointly by Army and police from Gandoh, Bhaderwah and Doda.
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