Another infiltration bid at LoC foiled; militant killed

SRINAGAR: The Indian Army said on Thursday that its men defending the Line of Control (LoC) foiled yet another infiltration bid along the de facto border by killing a militant in Poonch sector.

White Knight Corps, the Indian Army’s Nagrota (Jammu)-based 16 Corps, said that a “major infiltration bid” was foiled by the troops in the Poonch sector by killing a militant. It tweeted, “Major infiltration bid was eliminated by #IndianArmy, in #Poonch Sector. Indian Army neutralised one terrorist, recovered weapons, ammunition and warlike store. Operation is in progress.”

A defence spokesman said in Jammu that the Army troops observed suspicious movement of some persons along the LoC in the Poonch sector “wherein they were trying to infiltrate into the Indian side”. He added, “But the alert troops challenged the infiltrators on which the terrorists fired upon own troops. In the ensuing exchange of fire, one terrorist was killed whose body has been recovered along with two AK-47 rifles, one pistol and other war like stores.”

On October 31, the Army had said that a Pakistani militant was killed by it as he tried to infiltrate in the Jumagund area of the LoC’s Keran sector (Kupwara district).

Earlier on October 26, the Army had said that it together with Jammu and Kashmir police foiled an infiltration bid from across the LoC in Sudpora area (Tanghdar sector) of Kupwara district by killing a militant who was a resident of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and a member of Lashkar-e-Tayyaba (LeT). It had said that the killing of the LeT militant while trying to sneak into J&K “points to the neighbouring country’s never-ending effort to disrupt peace in the Union Territory”.

A statement issued by the Army here had said, “Continued engagements along the LoC are uncanny reminders of efforts by Pakistan to infuse terrorism in Kashmir and disrupt peace and harmony while putting on the facade of ceasefire understanding.” It alleged that the youth in PoJK “are being used as cannon fodder by Pakistan state policy from the last three decades with a fruitless aim to constantly disrupt progress towards collective peace”.

Lt. General ADS Aujla, the commander of Srinagar-based 15 Corps (also known as Chinar Corps), told reporters here on Tuesday, “Right now the situation (along the LoC) is completely under control, but whenever there is an opportunity, there are attempts to infiltrate, but the Indian Army is ready with full force to protect our border.”

Meanwhile, a wreath laying ceremony was organised by the Army in honour of Major Somnath Sharma, the first Param Vir Chakra recipient (posthumously), at the ‘Saviours of Kashmir War Memorial’ located at the Srinagar International Airport on Thursday.

Maj. Sharma of the 4th battalion of the Kumaon Regiment had led ‘D’ Company of his battalion at Budgam near here against the tribal raiders of Pakistan approaching Srinagar from the North on November 3, 1947. “Despite being heavily outnumbered and coming under heavy fire, the D company under the leadership of Maj. Sharma foiled the enemy’s advance towards Srinagar airfield during the crucial hours. In this decisive battle of 1947, Maj. Sharma along with one Junior Commissioned Officer and 20 other ranks made the supreme sacrifice, defending the motherland against all odds,” a statement issued by the Army here said.

It added, “For his ultimate courage, leadership and dedication beyond the call of duty, Maj. Sharma was conferred with the country’s first and highest war time Gallantry Award, the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.”