Kupwara: Security forces claimed to have killed five heavily armed “foreign terrorists” along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Friday while foiling an infiltration bid.
The operation in the Jumagund area in the Keran sector was launched Thursday night based on intelligence input gathered by the police, sources said.
Srinagar-based Defence PRO Col Emron Musavi said the “terror groups in Pakistan are using the facade of the ceasefire to perpetrate terror in the Union territory”.
Briefing the media here, the General Officer Commanding of the Army’s 28 Division, Major General Girish Kalia, said that based on the input, multiple ambushes were set up along the expected routes of infiltration.
“Simultaneously, the entire area, the LoC fence or the anti-infiltration obstacle system (AIOS), was kept under surveillance,” he said.
“Around midnight, the movement of terrorists was picked up by the troops. The infiltrating terrorists were engaged with precise and accurate fire, and in the ensuing firefight, five unidentified terrorists were neutralised,” Maj Gen Kalia said, adding there was no collateral damage.
He said the terrorists were heavily armed and appeared to be very well trained.
During a search of the site Friday morning, a large amount of arms and ammunition, including five AK series rifles, 15 magazines and grenades, and equipment such as night vision devices and binoculars were recovered, he said.
Maj Gen Kalia said while there is a ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan, the security forces have been getting a large number of intelligence inputs of likely infiltration from across the LoC in the recent past.
The army commander said the operation is a reflection of the high level of synergy between the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police who have been working tirelessly to ensure that “our beloved J&K remains peaceful and continues to progress on the path of development and prosperity”.
He complimented the officers and jawans who took part in the operation, and assured everyone that the security forces shall remain steadfast in their resolve to defeat the evil designs of inimical elements.
Meanwhile, Col Musavi, in a statement, said the terror groups in Pakistan are using the “facade” of ceasefire to perpetrate terror in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The operation clearly establishes the evil design of terrorist groups which are determined to disrupt peace in Kashmir. It also exposes the facade of false commitment to the ceasefire understanding by Pakistan which has repeatedly been exploited to perpetrate terror in Jammu and Kashmir,” the PRO said. (With inputs from PTI)
Arms, ammo recovered in Baramulla
Security forces on Friday recovered arms and ammunition in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, officials said.
The old and rusted arms and ammunition were recovered from the Chakseri area of the north Kashmir district, the officials said.
They said the recoveries include three AK 56 rifles, eight magazines, and 237 AK rounds.
