9 infiltrators killed in J

Srinagar, Nov 19 (UNI) Security forces thwarted an attempt by militants to infiltrate into India from across the border, and killed nine foreign ultras in north Kashmir during the past four days.

Official sources said that there are intelligence reports that hundreds of militants, mostly foreigners, are camping near the LoC across the border, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into this side before the routes are fully closed due to snowfall.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had also said the infiltration from across the border this year was more then last year.

Sources said that security forces have intensified foot and night patrolling near the LoC despite snowfall resulting in considerable cold due to drop in the temperature.

The militants will try to infiltrate before the routes are closed for winter due to heavy snowfall, sources said adding security forces are ready to meet any such challenge.

A defence ministry spokesman said troops eliminated a group of nine foreign militants who had entered this side of the border on November 6 from Dudhnial in PoK.

He said Saquib, a Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, resident of Multan in Pakistan, who was overpowered by the people and later handed over to police at Gulgam in Kupwara confessed during the interrogation that he was the same group which had infiltrated from POK recently.

Saquib has further said that a large number of militants are waiting across the border to sneak into this side along with sophisticated arms and ammunition.

The militant has further said that ultras are being trained in different camps in PoK.

An official spokesman said arms and ammunition seized from the slain infiltrators are being used in wars. It included Global positioning system which the militants had used to navigate through the hills and satellite phone to remain in touch with their mentor in PoK.

More than 70 militants had been killed by the security forces guarding the LoC immediately after they cross over to this side from PoK since January this year.

Officials said that about 1500 militants, trained to trigger IED and other blasts and handle automatic weapons, are in different camps in PoK.

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