12 militants killed: Army Army on Thursday claimed to have killed 10-12 militants after foiling a major infiltration attempt near north Kashmir’s Kupwara while as fresh encounter raged in Keran Sector of the district. While talking to media persons today at Badam Bagh Cantonment here, 15 Corps Commander, Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh said that 10-12 militants were killed near LoC in Shalbhutu area of North Kashmir after over 30 militants in camouflage tried to infiltrate into this side at multiple points on Sep 24. However, "alert troops challenged them, resulting in a massive gunfight which is still continuing". He, however said, we are not in a position to retrieve the bodies of the killed militants, “as militants on the other side are challenging by firing intermittently”. “At least 30 militants are in the area engaging the troops near the Line of Control,” he added. The GOC said that militant groups from across the LoC are desperate to infiltrate into the Kashmir Valley before the mountain passes get closed this winter. He claimed the number of infiltration attempts is rising as compared to previous year. “Attempts are still being made to send more militants into this side.” “Though the number of infiltration (attempts) has gone up this year but we have not lowered guard,” he said, adding the troops are still on high alert to foil any such attempt. Lt Gurmit said we have excellent intelligence network in place to take on challenges concerning us as there is excellent synergy between intelligence agencies and security forces but “the present security situation is under control,” he said. “The security threat is there. We had already received inputs there are training camps on the launching pads which are active and ready to infiltrate. We have effective intelligence in place as we have grid support from the intelligence and security forces and they are doing good job,” Gurmit added. He said that most militants who have attempted to infiltrate belong to Jiash-e- Muhammad (JeM), Lashkar-e-Toiba(LeT) and Al-Badar outfits. “A thorough search operation is going on in the area with the help of reinforcement.” Sources said about 14 to 16 militants managed to sneak into this side of Keran Sector four days ago. Defence sources said that following the infiltration attempt, the vigil along the LoC has been intensified and combing operations have been started. “Soldiers have increased vigil along the LoC as intelligence reports suggest that groups of militants are waiting to infiltrate into the Kashmir Valley.” They said the soldiers are carrying out combing and search operations through the dense forests in Keran, Macchil, Handwara, Kupwara and Gurez sectors of the Valley which have emerged as favored infiltration routes for militants over the past couple of years. Meanwhile, sources said that 6 to 7 militants who recently infiltrated engaged with troops of 23 Grenadier at Jumgund area near Balbir post in Keran Sector today afternoon. Heavy exchange of fire was going on in the area when this report was filed.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 01:16:09 +0000
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