Srinagar: Troops guarding the Line of Control (LoC) foiled yet another major infiltration on Thursday when they killed three heavily armed militants, including a Pak national in Uri sector of north Kashmir district of Baramulla.
“We are anticipating a change in the attitude of Pakistan during the next two months — September and October,” General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps Lt General D P Pandey said when asked if today’s infiltration attempt had any link with Afghan take over by Taliban.
“I would not like to link the present infiltration attempt with geo political change in the region. For security forces those who are holding arms are militants whether he is local or foreigner. The militants have to surrender or face death in encounters,” he said.
Giving details about today’s encounter, Commanding Officer of the operation said, “Around 0600 hrs, troops guarding the LoC noticed a group of militants entering into this side at Hathlanga Rampur sector in Uri. However, when challenged at a particular place on this side of the fence, militants opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, he said adding troops also retaliated and all the three militants were killed in the encounter.”
The slain militants were carrying war-like stores, including five AK rifles, five magazines, Eight pistols, 24 UBGL grenades, 38 Chinese grenades, seven Pak made grenades and Rs 35000 Pak currency.
GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen Pandey told reporters that as per documents recovered from one of the slain militants suggest he was a Pak national. The identity of two others was being ascertained, he said.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar was also present at the press meet.
He said, “We are expecting more infiltration attempts during the coming months before the upper reaches are closed due to heavy snowfall. However, there will be no lowering of guard even during snowfall,” he said.
In reply to a question he said we could see change in the attempts by our neighbor to send militants through routes which were not used so far. They are trying other routes to send militants and arms and ammunition to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in the valley, where the footfall of tourists has witnessed an increase and large number of Member of Parliament (MPs) visited every nook and corner and met people. He said, troops guarding the LoC are ready to foil any infiltration attempt at any place.
About operation in Angoor post also in Uri sector Lt Gen said on September 18 an infiltration bid was made by a group of militants. However, when challenged, militants opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, Lt General Pandey said adding two of the militants had entered this side while four others were on the LoC.
However, when our troops also retaliated, the militants escaped back into the other side of the LoC, he said, adding that to make sure no militant is on this side, we conducted thorough searches for about three days in the entire woods. There was grass so our operation continued for several days, he said adding but no militant was found and the operation was called off.
He assured that any attempt by militants to infiltrate into this side will be foiled.
