Ultras reportedly infiltrated about 10 days back
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 8: Two Army jawans were martyred and two foreign militants were killed in fierce gunbattle at Dadal forests near the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district this afternoon.
Army was hunting a group of militants which had infiltrated into the Indian territory from the LoC in Sunderbani since around 28th or 29th June.
Troops had developed specific information about the group of militants having taken shelter in Dadal forests after infiltration and were trying to engage them in encounter. In the earlier gunbattle, one Army jawan was injured with same group of militants.
“A contact with the militants was established today by the searching parties of Army leading to fierce gun fighting which continued till late this evening,” sources said, adding that two Army jawans were martyred in the operation with the militants.
Two foreign militants were also killed while the operation was on.
The martyr jawans have been identified as Naib Subedar Sreejith M and Sepoy Maruprolu Jaswanth Reddy.
Their bodies have been shifted to hospital and will be sent to their native towns tomorrow after tributes with full military honours.
Slain militants haven’t been identified so far but they were foreign militants, reportedly from Pakistan.
So far, Army has recovered two AK-47 rifles and ammunition in large quantity besides explosive material from the site of encounter.
Search operations were going on in the area and possibility of presence of more militants in the area is not ruled out. Bodies of slain militants have reportedly been recovered.
Sources said the militants appeared to be part of fresh infiltrated group from the Line of Control in Sunderbani sector around 10 days back and had to use either Pir Panjal mountains to reach Kashmir or strike in populated areas of Rajouri and Poonch.
However, they were intercepted by the troops before they could succeed in their designs and eliminated by the brave Army soldiers.
This is the second major encounter on the Line of Control in last two days and both the gun battles took place in Rajouri district.
Yesterday, troops had foiled an infiltration attempt on the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district by killing a militant. Two Army jawans were injured in the gunbattle. Other militants were reported to have retreated to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) after killing of their colleague.
This was the first major infiltration attempt on the Line of Control since February 25, 2021 fresh ceasefire agreement between Indo-Pak troops on the LoC and International Border. The intrusion bid was, however, successfully thwarted by the Indian Army.
Notwithstanding fresh ceasefire agreement, sources said, troops all along the Line of Control and International Border have been maintaining very high alert to foil infiltration attempts and new challenge of drone terror attacks.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has lauded the courage shown by the two Army jawans during the gun battle, who attained martyrdom.
“My tributes to soldiers, Nb Sub Sreejith M & Sep Maruprlou Jaswanth Reddy who lost their lives while fighting against terrorists in Rajouri. Proud of their bravery and courage. Their valour and sacrifice for the nation will never be forgotten. Deepest condolences to families of martyrs,” Sinha tweeted.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
