Three heavily-armed militants were killed and a huge cache of ammunition was recovered near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Uri Sector, where an operation was on for the past six days. A militant was also killed in Shopian in south Kashmir.
“The Army spotted a group of militants in Hathlanga area of Uri at 6 a.m. The group was challenged and three militants were killed in a brief exchange of fire,” General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps, Lieutenant General D.P. Pandey stated.
One slain militant was identified, who is from Pakistan. “The identity of the other two is being ascertained.”
The Army said it was the second such infiltration bid from across the LoC in Uri since September 18.
“The September 18 bid of the infiltrators was foiled and the militants were pushed back. The combing operation in Uri has also been called off [after six days],” the Army officer said.
The Army disclosed that it recovered five AK-47 rifles, seven pistols, five AK magazines, 24 (under-barrel grenade launchers) UBGl grenades, 38 Chinese grenades, seven Pakistan made grenades, ₹ 35000 Pakistani currency and eatables from the slain militants.
“The Army was alert and was anticipating a change in the behaviour of Pakistan in September. We were expecting infiltration ahead of the onset of winter. I would not like to connect this with the geopolitics. We are ready to foil all bids,” Lt. Gen. Pandey observed.
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Speaking on the occasion, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, “There is a change in strategy from across the LoC”. The elements across the border “were feeling frustrated by the prevailing peaceful atmosphere, rising number of tourist arrivals, visits of Union Ministers, and the peaceful situation after the death of Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani. There is a new trend of hybrid and part-time militants, who are being given pistols to carry out target killings during evening hours. They resume normal activities after a day. Around 97 pistols were recovered from militants, which signifies hybrid militants are being promoted”.
Militant killed in Shopian
A militant was killed on Thursday in an operation in Shopian. “While laying a cordon, the terrorist fired upon a joint search party. He was offered an option to surrender but didn’t accept it. Later, during the encounter, the newly active terrorist was neutralised,” the police said.
He was identified as Anayat Ashraf Dar from Shopian’s Keshwa. A pistol and ammunition were recovered from his possession. “Last night, Dar fired upon civilian Jeewer Hameed Bhat, who was seriously injured and is in hospital,” the police stated.
The slain militant used to threaten people in and around his village with illegally acquired weapons, the police added.
