3 Pak infiltrators among 8 militants killed in J and K

Srinagar, Sep 18 (UNI) Three heavily armed Pakistani infiltrators and five militants--two Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and three Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)--were killed in the Jammu and Kashmir today.

A defence ministry spokesman said troops guarding the border noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) in Machil sector yesterday.

When challenged and asked to surrender, the infiltrators opened indiscriminate firing and hurled grenades. The fire was returned and in the ensuing gunbattle three militants were killed.

Four AK rifles, one pistol and large cache of arms and ammunitions were recovered from the slain militants.

This was the fourth infiltration bid by the militants in this month and second since the commencement of the holy month of ramzan on September 14.

Troops guarding LoC, in Baramulla sector killed four infiltrators soon after they crossed over to this side from POK on September 10 morning while four more infiltrators were gunned down by the troops in a fierce encounter ensued after infiltrators sneaked into this side in Machil sector on September 11.

A senior Army officer had recently told that there are 5000 trained militants in Pakistan and POK camps, waiting to cross over to this side.

These militants, from different parts of Pakistan and POK besides some foreigners were trained in 52 camps still operating across the border, he added.

The officer said the level of infiltration has increased despite the fencing along the border.

He said nearly 278 militants had sneaked into this side by the end of August 2007 as per information from different agencies.

Because of tight vigil, security forces guarding the border have foiled more than two dozen infiltration bids and killed about 60 militants immediately after their return from POK this year.

Altogether 100, along with their families, surrendered before the troops, mostly in Uri sector, after their return from POK to lead a normal life in the valley during the past two years.

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