Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, June 9: Army today foiled a major infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector of North Kashmir killing 5 infiltrating militants.
Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Lt Col Rajesh Kalia told Excelsior that Army foiled a major infiltration bid by militants in Uri sector killing 5 militants. He said that the operation is still going on.
This group of 5-6 infiltrating militants was noticed in Doba Sardar area of Uri near the LoC on Wednesday afternoon by the troops of 4 JAK LI. They challenged them about one kilometer inside Indian territory leading to a gun battle in which two Army men were injured. The injured were identified as Vijay Sharma and Firasat Ali. They were removed to hospital for treatment.
The troops of 4 para were brought in for the operation to assist troops of 4 JAK LI and a massive operation was launched in the forests near the LoC in the area. Thick forest cover and rugged terrain gave natural cover to these infiltrators but this morning Army established contact with the group and engaged them.
Five militants were killed in the fierce gun battle that was going on since morning. Troops suspected presence of one more militant in the area. The operation is still going on.
This is the fourth infiltration bid that was foiled in last three days by the Army along the LoC in North Kashmir killing 12 militants.
Yesterday Army had foiled an infiltration bid in Nowgam sector of Kashmir, killing 3 militants while a soldier also lost his life during the operation.
Four militants were killed in a gun battle in Macchil sector along the LoC in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday. Army said that Pakistani troops gave cover to the infiltrators by firing artillery rounds and mortars besides firing from automatic machine guns.
Meanwhile, another infiltration bid was foiled by Army in Kanzalwan forests of Gurez. However, militants managed to flee under the cover of darkness.
A senior Army officer said that troops are on high alert along the LoC after inputs that 250 militants are waiting on the launch pads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir for infiltration. They foiled several infiltration attempts recently killing 31 militants so far this year.
However, few group of militants managed to sneak in and as per the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) figures, 19 militants infiltrated this year till April.
In the meantime, Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police detained two youth in Dangerpora area of Pulwama district today. Mir Showkat, who has done B.Tech and Danish Gulzar, who is pursuing MA, were detained.