Troops kill 2 infiltrators, lost four soldiers at LoC in Kupwara

Srinagar: Alert troops foiled a major infiltration bid from Pakistani Occupied Kashmir (POK) when they killed two militants at Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector in the frontier district of Kupwara in the early hours of Sunday, BSF spokesman said.

He said a BSF constable and three Army soldiers, including an officer also attained martyrdom while another was injured in different operations in Machil sector.

However, defence spokesman who earlier confirmed the killing of an infiltrator at LoC in Machil sector was not available on phone to confirm about the death of three soldiers and injuries to another as claimed by BSF.

A senior BSF officer said troops guarding LoC noticed suspicious movement of three militants near LoC fence in Machil sector in Kupwara at 0100 hours on Sunday. However, when challenged and asked to surrender, infiltrators opened fire with automatic weapons, he said adding the fire was retaliated and in the ensuing encounter a militant was killed.

He said one AK rifle and two bags were recovered from the slain militant.

He said constable Sudip Sarkar who continued fighting despite being injured succumbed before he could be shifted to hospital.

He said troops from 15 Corps also joined the operation which was going on when the reports last came in.

The BSF officer said Army also killed another militant and lost three soldiers, including an officer. A jawan was also injured, he claimed.

However, defence spokesman was not available to confirm the death of soldiers.

Meanwhile, senior Army officers and Director General of Police (DGP) have said there are a large number of militants in launch pads at LoC in POK to sneak into this side before the infiltration routes are closed due to heavy snowfall. However, they said, security forces guarding the LoC are already on high alert to foil any such infiltration attempt. (UNI)