Major infiltration bid foiled, 4 militants,soldier killed in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jun 28 (UNI) Four heavily armed Pakistani infiltrators and a soldier were killed near the Line of Control (LoC) in Uri sector in Jammu and Kashmir today, an Army spokesman said.

He told UNI that troops of 9 Maratha guarding the border noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side of the border at Jurawar area in Uri sector today.

When challenged and asked to surrender, the heavily armed militants resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons.

The fire was returned and in the fierce clash, which continued for several hours, four infiltrators were killed. One soldier also made supreme sacrifice, he said adding four ak rifles and other arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants.

He said the search operation was still going on in the entire belt.

This was the second major infiltration bid in the Uri sector during the past one week.

On June 24, troops killed three infiltrators immediately after they crossed over to this side from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) at Gwalta in the sector.

Yesterday troops of 20 J and K rifles foiled an infiltration bid when challenged by a group of militants at Changnar in Mahil sector.

The militants managed to escape under the cover of darkness leaving behind some arms and ammunition.

Officials said that infiltration from across the border has increased this year after melting of snow on the higher reaches.

They said a large number of militants are waiting in different launching camps near the border, waiting for an opportunity to cross over to this side.

About 50 militants and their family members have also surrendered after their return from PoK during the past one year.

UNI