Srinagar: In the midst of an unprecedented financial and political crisis at home, Pakistan has stepped up its efforts to push terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir in its desperate bid to disturb peace here.
Over the last 4 days, the Indian Army has foiled 3 attempts by Pakistani terrorists, backed by the Pakistani establishment, to cross over to Jammu and Kashmir.
In these 3 counter-infiltration operations, the Indian Army has killed 5 infiltrating terrorists and caught one alive while 2 managed to flee back to the Pakistan-occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir from where they were launched.
While two infiltration attempts were made via the Rajouri sector of Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region, one bid was made in Uri sector of Kashmir region.
The Pakistani terrorist, caught alive, has confirmed that he along with two other terrorists were trained by the Pakistani Army. They were tasked to infiltrate and carry out attack in Jammu and Kashmir by a Colonel of Pakistani Army.
The Pakistan Army’s stepped up attempts to push terrorists into this part of Jammu and Kashmir comes at a time when it is facing a huge public backlash, spearheaded by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
At rallies and protests across Pakistan in the recent weeks, the people have been openly slamming Pakistan Army Chief Gen Bajwa.
The Pakistani Army, including Gen Bajwa, are facing criticism even from the media fraternity of Pakistan.
The outburst against the Pakistan Army comes against the backdrop of unprecedented financial crisis that the country has plunged into, with the public holding the all-powerful military responsible since it has created economic and political instability .
On August 21, in the morning hours, alert Indian soldiers deployed in Jhangar sector of Naushera spotted movement of 2-3 terrorists on the Indian side of LoC.
According to the Defence Ministry spokesperson, one terrorist came close to the Indian post and tried cutting the fence.
He was challenged by alert sentries and the terrorist tried to flee.
However, he was brought down by effective firing by the troops, incapacitating him.
Two terrorists, who were hiding behind, fled the area by taking cover of dense jungle and broken ground, the spokesperson said.
The injured Pakistani terrorist was captured alive and provided with immediate medical aid and lifesaving surgery was carried out.
The captured terrorist revealed his identity as Tabarak Hussain, a resident of Sabzkot village in Kotli district of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the spokesperson said.
On further interrogation, the terrorist confessed about their plan to attack the Indian Army Post.
Hussain stated that he was sent by a Colonel of Pakistan Intelligence Agency named Col Yunus Chaudhry who had paid him 30,000 Pakistani Rupees.
Tabarak also revealed that he, along with other terrorists, had carried two/three close recces of Indian forward posts with an aim to target them at an opportune time.
“The go-ahead to target the Indian post was given by Col Yunus Chaudhry on 21 Aug 2022,” the spokesperson said.
Incidentally, Hussain had been captured by Indian Army earlier also from the same sector in 2016 along with his brother Haroon Ali but they were repatriated on humanitarian grounds in November 2017.
In the second operation, on the night of 22/ 23 August 2022, a group of 2-3 terrorists tried to infiltrate in Lam sector of Naushera(J&K).
“Our alert troops were able to observe the terrorists as they crossed the Line of Control and continuously monitored this movement. As they moved ahead into our mine fields, a series of mines got activated and two terrorists got eliminated on the spot,” the spokesperson said.
The other terrorists, possibly injured, could be hiding in the area or may have gone back, taking advantage of the inclement weather and dense foliage, he said.
In the morning of August 23, a quadcopter was flown over the area and bodies of the two dead terrorists were observed.
A deliberate operation was launched through the heavily-mined area and the bodies of the two terrorists were recovered along with one AK-56, three Magazines and a large quantity of ammunition & war like stores.
The third bid was made via the Uri sector of Kashmir.
Also read: Joint fight needed against terrorism, says India at SCO meet attended by Pak, China
Defence Ministry spokesperson said the operation was launched yesterday on the basis of specific intelligence from Army Intelligence agencies.
“Consequently, on 24th Aug afternoon multiple ambushes were laid to trap the infiltrators,” he said.
Intensive electronic surveillance of the suspected area led to detection of the attempt at 7 AM today, the Defence spokesperson said.
“Terrorists were hoping to use the cover of thick undergrowth, foliage and continuous rain and low clouds to infiltrate,” he said.
“The contact with terrorists was established at about 08.45 AM on 25 Aug 22 in the forward areas Indian side of the LoC, leading to heavy exchange of fire in which the terrorists were killed. Detailed search of the area was concluded at 2 PM,” the spokesperson added.
A search of the area yielded dead bodies of three terrorists along with 2 AK rifles, one Chinese M-16 rifle and other war-like stores, he said.
“Indian Army’s successful operation has not only led to elimination of three Pakistani terrorists, but also has resulted in thwarting Pakistan’s nefarious design and intent to disrupt peace, prosperity and normalcy in J&K,” the spokesperson said.
Use of electronic surveillance and intelligence-based operations continue to be mainstay of Indian Army’s operations against Pakistan-sponsored terror in J&K, he emphasised.
