Four heavily armed Pak infiltrators killed in J and K

Srinagar, Sep 9 (UNI) Four heavily armed Pakistani infiltrators were killed by the alert security forces in Machil sector in Jammu and Kashmir, a defence ministry spokesman has said.

He said troops guarding the border noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) at Muthal Nar in Machil sector under the cover of darkness.

As soon as the militants crossed the Line of Control (LOC) and reached near a particular place on this side, troops challenged them and asked them to surrender, he said.

However, instead they resorted to indiscriminate firing on troops, he said adding the fire was returned and the fierce fight continued for several hours.

The spokesman said with the first light this morning, troops conducted search operation in the area and found four bodies of militants. Four AK rifles and a huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered from the slain militants who were yet to be identified.

About 50 militants have so far been killed by the alert troops immediately after they crossed over to this side from PoK this year.

A senior army officer said more than 1500 militants from different parts of Pakistan and PoK and other countries are waiting in the launching pads near the border, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into this side before the infiltration routes are closed due to snowfall during winter.

Security forces guarding the border have already intensified foot and night patrolling to thwart any infiltration attempt.

More than 100 militants and their families have surrendered before the security forces, mostly in Uri sector, after their return from PoK during this year.

Almost all national mainstream parties in the Kashmir valley are demanding that all the Kashmiri youths who have crossed over to PoK for receiving arms training, be allowed to return to their homes and lead a peaceful and normal life. However, there was no response from the government so far.

UNI