Srinagar, June 16: Five foreign terrorists were killed in an encounter in Jumagund area along Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, on Friday, the police said.
The encounter started when the joint Army and police team launched an anti-terror operation following intelligence inputs from the police about terrorists trying to cross the border, the police said.
In a tweet, “Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said five foreign terrorists were killed in the encounter. Search in the area is going on,” he said.
ADGP Vijay Kumar said that this group was affiliated to JKGF ( JK Ghaznavi Force) which has Rafiq Nai and Shamsher Nai @ Zafar Iqbal.
“Both residents of Poonch presently settled in POJK act as handlers and Murtaza Pathan @ Ghaznvi, a resident of Faisalabad, Pakistan, an Afghan veteran affiliated with Deoband school of thought as operational commander supervising tactical aspect from POJK,” he added.
Addressing a joint press conference at HQ 28 Inf Div, Zangli, Kupwara, GOC Vajr Division Major General Girish Kalia flanked by DIG North Kashmir, and SSP Kupwara, said that in the joint operation along the LoC, five foreign terrorists have been killed in Jumagund area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Major General Kalia, briefing on the details, stated that in the recent past, a large number of inputs from various intelligence agencies about terrorist infiltration from across the LoC were received.
“On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir Police received a specific intelligence input of infiltration along Jumagund Nar. It was followed by a joint Army-Police operation in Keran Sector on the night of June 15/16, in which multiple ambushes were laid along infiltration routes,” he said.
Major Gen Kalia stated the entire area, including the LoC fence and the anti-infiltration obstacle system (AIOS), was under constant surveillance.
“Around midnight on Thursday, ambush teams observed five heavily armed terrorists crossing the LoC. Despite adverse weather and terrain conditions, ambush teams along the fence engaged the terrorists,” he said.
“The infiltrating terrorists were engaged with precise and accurate fire, and in the ensuing fire-fight, five unidentified terrorists were neutralised with no collateral damage from our side,” said the senior Army Officer.
“The operation continued throughout the night, and a thorough search of the area was conducted in the early morning. The terrorists’ identities and tanzeem affiliation are being determined,” he said.
During the search, 5 AK series rifles, 15 magazines, ammunition, grenades, night vision devices, and binoculars were seized, according to the Major General.
“This successful intelligence-based operation is yet another example of close synergy between Army and Police,” he said.
Major Gen Kalia said the operation clearly demonstrates the evil design of terrorist groups determined to disrupt peace in Kashmir.
“It also exposes Pakistan’s false commitment to the ceasefire agreement, which has repeatedly been used to perpetrate terror in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The officer further said that security forces are determined to defeat the nefarious plans of hostile elements to disrupt peace and harmony in Kashmir.
This is the first major infiltration attempt by the terrorists in the Valley’s Kupwara sector this year. Since India and Pakistan agreed to revive the 2003 ceasefire on the borders, infiltration attempts by terrorists have decreased drastically in the Valley.
However, there have been several infiltration attempts in the Poonch and Rajouri sectors of Jammu which are turning out to be new battlegrounds.
ADGP Kumar appreciated the role of joint forces for neutralizing the terrorists without any collateral damage. He admired the joint teams for displaying the highest degree of synergy and coordination which led to the elimination of five foreign terrorists and averted a big threat for forthcoming yatra.
Infiltration bids:
On June 15, joint parties of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishnaghati sector of Poonch district of Jammu division.
On June 13, two foreign terrorists were gunned down as security forces foiled a major infiltration bid along LoC in Machil sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
On May 31, three terrorists were arrested and a soldier was injured on Wednesday, as the Army foiled a major infiltration bid along LoC in Poonch sector of Jammu region. Apart from arms, ammunition, 10 kg IED was also recovered from their possession.
