As many as 12 Islamic militants were killed in the latest and biggest infiltration bid of the season from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. A lieutenant with 15 Maratha Light Infantry also lost his life and two soldiers were injured, officials here said.
Deadly gunfight was reported from an area falling between the Indian Army’s Akbar and Rana forward posts near Bagtor village in Gurez Sector.
Army reinforcements including para-troopers moved in as the combing operation was underway.
“Our jawans have moved in the neighbouring dense forests as there is possibility of some of the terrorists having fled the fighting and taken refuge there,” said an official. Meanwhile, a red alert has been sounded all along the LoC and International Border with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir against possible surge in infiltration bids.
Giving the details of the gunfight, Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Lt. Col. J.S. Brar said that at about one am on Saturday when a group of heavily-armed militants crossed from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir into the Indian side of the de facto border in Gurez Sector.
The group was intercepted by alert Indian troops as it attempted to cross the Kishanganga river (called Neelam on the other side of the LoC) using a pneumatic boat. Kishanganga at many places is the de-facto Line of Control between the two sides.
“This is certainly a new development. The terrorists were also carrying an inflatable five-man dinghy,” the spokesperson said adding that when challenged, a heavy exchange of gunfire ensued. “While they tried to come ashore, six terrorists were killed and they fell into the river. Six more terrorists were killed near the shore in a fierce encounter,” Lt. Col. Brar said.
He added that five AK rifles, one pistol, 50 assorted grenades, two radio sets, two compasses and one global positioning system besides a large quantity of war like stores and two boats were found at the scene of fight.
During the gunfight, Lieutenant Navdeep Singh lost his life whereas two jawans whose names have been withheld were injured.
About the slain officer, the spokesperson said he was a lively 26-year-old officer who commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps in March 2011 and was serving in 15th battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry.
The Army termed the killing of suspected infiltrating militants as the “biggest success” of the year, so far, and said this is the eight infiltration attempt this month and the largest so far this year.
None of the militant outfits active in Jammu and Kashmir have, so far, reacted to the Army claim.