The Army on Wednesday shot dead three terrorists as another bid from across the line of Control (loC) to send in armed terrorists into Kashmir Valley was foiled in Machil sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, official sources said.
Sources said the troops guarding the loC noticed suspicious movement during Tuesday night as a group of terrorists was trying to infiltrate into the Valley. In the pitch dark hours, the group was challenged that triggered a prolonged gun-battle. The exchange of fire continued throughout the day on Wednesday and till last reports three infiltrators, yet to be identified, were killed. The security forces suspect presence of more infiltrators in the area. A large forested area has been cordoned off to track them down.
This is the third infiltration bid foiled by the Army in north Kashmir in the past fortnight. On May 26, two elderly persons, suspected to be members of Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) were killed in Uri sector of north Kashmir.
Six terrorists were killed in the same sector next day when they attempted to sneak into the Valley from across the border.
Meanwhile, police said that a militant, spotted in the funeral of Hizb Commander Sabzar Bhat in Tral last week, has surrendered. Police identified him as Danish Ahmad of Handwara. Hizbul Mujahideen, however, refuted police claims and said that Danish Ahmad was not affiliated with Hizb.
In a statement issued here, police said that a video clip of an unidentified terrorist, wearing battle pouch with a grenade, were in circulation on social media few days ago. “These video clips were clicked in Tral, Awantipora by the local media-persons during the funeral of a self-style commander, Sabzar Bhat of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit,” the statement said.
During investigation, police said, the terrorist was identified as Danish Ahmed, a resident of Kulangam, Handwara in Kupwara district. The statement claimed that police and 21 RR of Indian Army “got into touch with his parents and impressed upon them to counsel their son for surrender”. After being “convinced” that Danish will be treated “fairly under law”, family made efforts and “Danish surrendered before Handwara police and 21 RR army”.
On being questioned, police said that Danish revealed he was in touch with terrorists of south Kashmir region on social media.