Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: Army today foiled an infiltration attempt by two militants in combat dress on the Line of Control (LoC) in forward area of Lam in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district this afternoon by killing one militant. In the gun-battle, one Army soldier was injured.
This was the first infiltration attempt observed by the troops after de-escalation of tensions on the LoC last month after DGMOs level talks between India and Pakistan in the wake of killing of two Indian Army jawans in Mankote sector of Poonch district on January 8.
Defence Public Relations Officer (officiating) S N Acharya said troops deployed on the LoC ahead of fencing in Lam area of Nowshera sector in Poonch district observed suspicious movement of two militants in combat dress at 2.30 pm today.
“The movement of the infiltrators was continuously tracked by the troops and they were asked to surrender when they reached about 200 meters inside the Indian territory. However, the militants opened firing, which the troops retaliated”, official sources said, adding that in exchange of firing one militant was killed.
An Army jawan Sepoy Major Singh was injured.
Army evacuated the injured soldier from the site of firing and airlifted him to Command Hospital in Udhampur. He had sustained gun shot wound in his thigh and his condition was stated to be stable.
After the firing, troops intensified searches along the LoC in Lam area but the second militant remained untraced till tonight. The possibility that he might have escaped back to Pakistan during exchange of firing hasn’t been ruled out.
However, troops have maintained strong cordon in forward area of Lam to ensure that the militants didn’t manage to sneak into this side.
Sources said both the militants were in combat dresses and appeared to be Pakistanis. They were equipped with AK-47 rifles. Police have recovered AK-47 rifle of the slain militant from the site of encounter.
It may be mentioned here that tensions had escalated between India and Pakistan after killing of two Army jawans by Pakistani troops at Mankote in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district on January 8. The Pakistani troops had taken with them the head of one of the jawans.
However, the tensions had deescalated after DGMOs level talks between the two countries. Since then, this was the first infiltration attempt observed in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
Meanwhile, troops of 63 Rashtriya Rifles and police today recovered a consignment of ammunition and explosives from Sarhuti Gala forests in Taryath area of Kalakote in Rajouri district.
Recoveries included 168 rounds of AK rifle, two AK magazines, half kg explosive material, two electric detonators, one hand grenade, one UBGL grenade and one IED circuit.
After recoveries, Army and police conducted searches in the forests. However, no arrests were made from the spot.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Army tonight violated ceasefire along the LoC in Balnoi sector of Poonch district.
Pakistan Army started firing at 8.05 pm and continued till 9.15 pm, Mr Acharya said, adding the Indian side gave calibrated response to the firing.
Though media has reported some ceasefire violations in Krishna Ghati sector earlier after the DGMOs level talks last month, Army had denied any violations. However, today Army admitted the ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army.
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