SRINAGAR : A massive search operation was resumed in the woods near the Line of Control (LoC) this morning in the frontier district of Kupwara, where troops foiled a major infiltration bid from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) yesterday, in which a soldier laid down his life.
Yes, with the first light this morning, troops have intensified search operation in the woods near LoC in Keran sector,” Defence ministry Spokesman Col N N Joshi said.
He said so far, no fresh contact was established with militants, who might have escaped back into PoK after troops challenged them. Giving details about the encounter, Col Joshi said troops guarding the LoC in Keran sector noticed a group of militants infiltrating into this side from PoK.
However, when challenged and asked to surrender, the militants opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, in which Sepoy Ramesh Chand Yadav was critically wounded. He was airlifted to base hospital, where he succumbed.
He said additional troops were rushed to the area from nearby camps to cordon off the entire dense forest.
However, the operation was stopped last night because of darkness. With the first light today, the operation was launched from all sides, Col Joshi added.
Official sources said a large number of trained militants are waiting in launch pads across the LoC in PoK.
As the snow on the upper reaches was melting, there could be more infiltration attempt from PoK, official sources said, adding that anti-infiltration grid has already been established to foil any such attempt.
Braving all odds, troops are already conducting foot and night patrolling all along the LoC to foil any infiltration bid, they said. (agencies)
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