Major infiltration bid foiled, two militants killed in Kupwara

Srinagar: Security forces guarding the Line of Control (LoC) thwarted an infiltration bid from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) when they gunned down two heavily armed militants in Tangdhar sector in the frontier district of Kupwara, a defence ministry spokesman said here on Monday.

Col Rajesh Kalia said troops noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side from PoK on Sunday. However, when challenged and asked to surrender, militants opened fire with automatic weapons, he said. Troops also retaliated ensuing an encounter.

But, he said, militants escaped from the area. Later, a massive Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched during which fresh contact with the militants was established.

Two militants were killed in the encounter, he said. However, due to darkness, the operation was suspended late last night only to be resumed with the first light this morning.A massive search operation was continuing in the woods when the reports last came in, he added.

A large number of militants are waiting at launch pads on the LoC to sneak into this side before the infiltration route are closed due to snowfall.(UNI)