Kupwara, Nov 08 (KNO): The army today foiled a major infiltration bid—second biggest this year—in which three soldiers, a BSF man and three heavily armed militants were killed while as the operation is on.
Today’s infiltration bid is second biggest along the LoC this year. On March 31 this year, five heavily armed militants and equal number of soldiers were killed in Keran sector of Kupwara.
A senior defence official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that the militants were heavily armed and in two groups. “Either some militants are hiding or some may have gone back to other side,” he said.
Defence sources said that the operation is on and so far three soldiers, a BSF man and three militants have been killed. “It was a big infiltration bid of this year,” he said, wishing not to be named. BSF officials confirmed the death of its constable in the exchange of fire with the militnats at Machil sector.
Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Klia, in a statement issued to KNO said that, “BSF patrol noticed suspicious movement near the Anti-Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS) (LoC Fence), about 3.5 KM from the LoC. Firefight ensued in which one infiltrator was killed. A BSF soldier was killed in action ( KIA). Firefight stopped at a 4 AM.”
He said that more troops were rushed to the area and militant movement was tracked by surveillance devices.
"Contact was re-established today morning when heavy fire was drawn by own search parties approximately 1.5 km from the LoC”, the spokesman said. “In the ensuing firefight two more militants were killed. Three soldiers were killed in action (KIA) and two others were injured. Injured soldiers have been evacuated to the hospital,” the spokesman said. The operation in the area is still under process, he added.
Border security forces (BSF), in a statement issued here said that, "On 8 November 2020 at about 0100 hrs, an ambush-cum-patrol party of 169 Bn BSF observed movement of a militants group infiltrating through the Line of Control in Machil Sector, Kupwara."
"After they were challenged, they opened fire which was fittingly retaliated by the BSF party. In the fierce exchange of fire, one militant was shot dead immediately and others managed to hide behind the cover of undulating terrain", the statement said. "At the same time Pak posts started ceasefire violation in support of the infiltrating militants."
During the gunfight one BSF Jawan CT Sudip Kumar received bullets but with utter disregard to his personal safety he kept on fighting till his last breath with exemplary courage and ultimately attained martyrdom, the statement said.
It added that, In the meantime, Army reinforcement arrived from the flanking Forward Posts and joint Search and Elimination operation was continued further—(KNO)