Kupwara encounter: Search operation resumes

Search operation resumed this morning near the Line of Control (LoC) in Naugam sector in the frontier district of Kupwara where two infiltrators were killed and as many soldiers martyred in an encounter.  

Official sources said that with the first light this morning, troops and state police resumed the search operation launched yesterday. The operation was stopped last night due to darkness to avoid any casualty, they said, adding that however, the entire forest area remained cordoned off throughout the night.

A defence ministry spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia told UNI last evening that troops guarding LoC noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Naugam sector. However, when challenged and asked to surrender, the militants opened fire with automatic weapons. The troops also retaliated and in the ensuing encounter, two militants, reportedly foreigners, were killed. Large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

Col Kalia said two soldiers were also martyred in the encounter.

Additional troops were rushed from nearby camps and entire forest area was sealed.

A massive search operation was on in the entire woods. So far, no fresh contact was established with the militants.

The infiltration attempt came a day after Defence Minister Arun Jaitley visited the forward areas on LoC in north Kashmir, where he had detailed interaction with the field commanders and other troops.

Mr Jaitley was given a detailed briefing about the measures taken to foil any infiltration bid from PoK, where a large number trained militants are waiting to sneak into this side during this summer.

Official sources said the next few months will be very crucial as with the melting of snow on the higher reaches, infiltration attempt from across LoC will increase. However, troops have already taken all necessary measures to foil any infiltration attempt.