Four unidentified infiltrators were killed in north Kashmir’s Keran sector as the Army foiled first infiltration bid from across the line of Control (loC) after a prolonged winter pause. The slain infiltrators are suspected to be Pakistani nationals who carried automatic weapons to augment terrorists operating in the Valley.
Defence sources said the infiltrators were killed in Tilapathra forest in Dudniyal area of Keran sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, around 150 kilometres from Srinagar. They said the group of Ultras was sneaking into this side of loC during the night hours when their movement was noticed by the troops guarding the fence that divides two parts of Kashmir Kashmir.
“The group was challenged by the soldiers triggering a gunfight that continued throughout the night. The gun-battle ended Monday morning with the killing of four infiltrators,” an army officer said.
The security forces launched a massive combing operation in the area to find out if there were some surviving infiltrators in the area.
The infiltration bid had minimised in the north Kashmir region, home to a vast stretch along the loC in Bandipora, Kupwara and Baramulla districts during the harsh winter season. The loC area is mostly forested and the traditional passes remain blocked in winter due to accumulation of snow.
The militants operating in Kashmir are desperately looking for replenishment of their arsenal as they face dearth of weapons and logistics. The militants have increased attacks on security forces with an aim to snatch rifles.
However, the Army says that the counter-infiltration grind has been robust to thwart the infiltration bids. Army Commander lt Gen D Anbu and commander of Srinagar based XV corps have frequently visited the forward areas to take stock of the situation.
Estimates say that around 112 infiltrators managed to sneak into Kashmir during last year during the bids double in number. Though most of the bids were foiled, the year recorded the highest number of infiltrations since 2012.