Fazil Mir
Srinagar/Kupwara, July 19 (NVI):- The two terrorists killed while trying to sneak into Kashmir via the Keran sector of the Line of Control (LoC) yesterday were foreigners, the Indian Army said today, implying that they were Pakistani nationals.
Srinagar-based Defence spokesman Lt Col M K Sahu said the infiltration attempt was foiled on the basis of a credible input about the possibility of movement of terrroists through the Keran sector of Kupwara in Kashmir.
The input was received from J&K Police and it was further corroborated by intelligence agencies, he said.
Based on this information, the Indian troops laid an ambush for the incoming terrorists.
“On July 18, at approx 1230h, alert troops observed movement of two terrorists through thick foliage, on own (Indian) side of LoC. The infiltrating terrorists were challenged, following which they opened fire, leading to an intense fire fight,” the spokesman said.
In this gun battle, “two hardcore foreign terrorists were killed” and war-like stores, including weapons, and a Pakistani identity card were recovered from them, he said.
“This successful intelligence-based operation is yet another example of the close synergy between Indian Army, BSF & JKP,” he added.
He pointed out that this was the 3rd successful anti-infiltration operation in recent weeks, which “underscores the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to maintain the sanctity of the Line of Control and the robust counter infiltration posture towards maintaining peace in Kashmir Valley.”
Earlier, on July 14, 3 foreign terrorists were killed while trying to infiltrate via the same Keran sector.
Prior to that, in the last week of June, 2 terrorists were killed in a counter infiltration operation in Uri in Baramulla district.