Srinagar: Security forces have foiled two infiltration bids along the Line of Control in Kupwara district of north Kashmir, killing three terrorists, officials said on Thursday.
“One terrorist has been confirmed eliminated (in Tangdhar operation). Two terrorists have been eliminated in the ongoing anti-infiltration operation in general area Machhal, Kupwara, along with the recovery of Two AK Rifles, one Pistol, four Hand Grenades and other war-like stores,” Srinagar based Chinar Corps posted on its X handle.
The army said searches were in progress at both locations.
Police officials said the two operations were launched on August 28 based on specific inputs by Kupwara Police a day earlier.
They said police had been maintaining close vigil and developing on ground human intelligence regarding infiltration attempts from the LoC at Kupwara.
“In keeping with intelligence inputs, two specific inputs were developed on Tuesday about simultaneous infiltration attempts from Karnah sector and Kumkadi in Machil sector. Inputs were shared with concerned army units and joint ambushes of JKP and Army were deployed,” the officials said.
While at Kumkadi, suspicious movement was detected around 7:30 pm on Wednesday shortly after which firing commenced. The exchange of firing lasted till Thursday morning.
In a similar operation, suspicious movement was detected in Karnah sector around 9 pm on Wednesday, prompting a challenge by security forces which led to exchange of firing through the night.
“Upon search conducted in the morning at both locations – two bodies were sighted at Kumkadi while one body was sighted at Karnah,” the officials said.
This was the sixth operation based on inputs developed by Jammu and Kashmir Police in Kupwara district this year which has resulted in killing of 10 terrorists, all foreigners, officials said.
Encounter breaks out during search operation in Rajouri district
An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday in Rajouri district after troops launched a cordon and search operation in response to suspected militant movement, officials said.
“A search operation was launched by security forces in the general area of village Kheri Mohra Lathi and Danthal in Rajouri district at 2130 hours on Wednesday night (following suspected terrorist movement),” a police spokesperson said.
During the search operation, at around 2345 hours, a contact was established with terrorists, leading to an exchange of fire between the two sides near the Kheri Mohra area, the spokesperson added.
Security forces also fired a few shots of tracer rounds to illuminate the area, the officials said.
Two to three terrorists are holed up in the cordon area, they said, adding that additional forces have been rushed to the area to strengthen the cordon and the operation.
On Monday night, a group of Village Defence Guards (VDGs) noticed two unidentified persons near a house in Meira-Nagrota village in Rajouri district, and fired into the air. Following this, a search operation was initiated by security forces in the area.(PTI)
