The flush out operation along the line of Control (loC) in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district continued for the 12th day on Saturday as troops shot dead four more infiltrators in Fateh Gali area. Defence sources said that with the latest casualties, seven infiltrators were shot dead in the past 24 hours.
Meanwhile, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command lieutenant-General Sanjiv Chachra and Srinagar-based XV Corps Commander lieutenant-General Gurmeet Singh carried out aerial reconnaissance of the forward posts to oversee the preparedness of the troops. The Army Commander arrived here on a three day visit to review the ground situation and hold discussions with the Governor and Chief Minister.
A Defence spokesman said that troops deployed in Fateh Gali area of Keran sector detected movement of some terrorists about 50 metres in front of their post located around three kilometres inside the loC.
“On being challenged, the terrorists began heavy firing on the troops, who retaliated immediately. In the ensuring gunfight, four terrorists were killed. During the initial search a large quantity of war like stores including six AK-47s, ten pistols, four Uni-barrel Grenade launchers, four Disposable Rocket launchers and six small rucksacks have been recovered so far,” the spokesman said.
He said that the infiltrators were intercepted due to the alertness of troops in the sector following a surge in infiltration attempts. Singh has said infiltrators are attempting to sneak in before the onset of winter when mountain passes are blocked due to heavy snowfall. He said the militants were desperate to replenish their supplies and manpower in the hinterland.
Meanwhile, Chachra, who arrived to oversee the preparedness of troops along the forward posts and hinterland, visited the Rashtriya Rifles Headquarters to receive briefing by the Commanders on the prevailing security scenario in their areas of responsibility.
“Gen Chachra also carried out an aerial recce of forward posts and expressed his satisfaction over the preparedness of security forces. He praised the high level of synergy existing among the police, CRPF and the Army,” the spokesman said.
The Army Commander is scheduled to visit the forward formations and units to review the anti-infiltration grid and also the ongoing operations being conducted by the Army. He will hold meetings with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Omar Abdullah is Chairman of the Unified Command Headquarters. In another development, police claimed to have busted a Hizbul Mujahideen module by arresting a top-ranking militant of the outfit in Sopore area of North Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (North Kashmir) JP Singh said that Hizbul Commander Nisar Ahmad Dar alias Usman, who was previously a lashkar-e-Tayyeba cadre, was involved in a number of attacks on police and security forces. He also tried to sabotage developmental work in Wullar lake. Singh claimed that the attack in Wullar lake was carried out at the behest of Hizbul’s supreme commander Salahuddin, who is based in Muzaffarabad.