SRINAGAR: A massive search operation is going on in the woods in Machil sector in the frontier district of Kupwara, where alert troops foiled a major infiltration bid yesterday.
Official sources said three infiltrators have been killed in the encounter so far as searches are going on. However, defence ministry spokesperson Lt Col N N Joshi told reporters this afternoon that the bodies of two militants have been recovered so far and a massive search operation in the woods near the Line of Control (LOC) was going on.
The encounter ensued yesterday when a group of militants infiltrated into this side from Pakistan occupied Kashmnir (PoK) in the sector under the cover of darkness. However, when challenged and asked to surrender on this side of the LoC, militants opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. Troops also retaliated and in the initial fire fight, a militant was killed.
Later, reinforcement was rushed to the dense forest from other neary camps to further tighten the cordon in the area. Later, two more militants were killed, sources said, adding that operation was halted last night due to darkness. Lt Col Joshi said only two bodies of militants were recovered so far and two ak rifles and other arms and ammunition were also recovered. Searches in the woods was going on, he said adding no contact was established so far with the militant today.
It is reported that six to seven militants sneaked into this side early yesterday from PoK, where a large number of trained militants are waiting to cross over to this side as snow on the higher reaches has stared melting. (AGENCIES)
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