5 JeM infiltrators killed by security forces in Kashmir

Srinagar: Five Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) infiltrators were killed by alert troops near the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district on Monday, a defence ministry spokesman said.

The operation was on when the reports last came in, Col Rajesh Kalia told UNI.

He said troops guarding the LoC noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side from Pakistan- occupied-Kashmir (PoK) early this morning under the cover of darkness. However, when challenged, the infiltrators opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons.

Security forces retaliated and in the initial gunfight, three militants were killed. Another was also gunned down.

According to Col Kalia, fresh reports have been received about another infiltrator being killed. Large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

Additional troops have been rushed from nearby camps to launch a massive search operation in the dense woods.

A large number of trained militants are waiting in launch pads on LoC in PoK to sneak into this side for terror activities in the valley. However, troops are already on high alert, conducting foot and night patrolling to foil any infiltration attempt from PoK.

Chief of the Army Staff (CASO) General Bipin Rawat had recently said that “Operation All Out (OAO)” which was launched in south Kashmir will be shifted to North Kashmir in 2018.

Over 200 militants, including some top commanders of different militant outfits, were killed, including during OAO in south Kashmir last year. (UNI)