Major infiltration bid foiled, 4 militants killed in J

Srinagar, Oct 27 (UNI) Alert troops today foiled two major infiltration bids when they gunned down four heavily armed militants near the Line of Control (LoC) in the frontier district of Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir.

Official sources told UNI that troops guarding the border noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side from PoK in Keran sector early this morning under the cover of darkness.

When challenged and asked to surrender near a particular area on this side of the border, militants attacked the troops with automatic weapons and also hurled grenades.

The troops also retaliated and in the fierce clash two infiltrators were killed.

Similarly, another group of heavily armed militants tried to enter this side in Karnah sector this morning. Militants opened fire when asked to surrender, ensuing a fierce encounter, they said.

The operation was still going on in the woods when the reports last came in, they said adding that bodies of two militants have been recovered from the area so far.

Officials said the infiltration attempts before the routes are closed on upper reaches due to heavy snowfall, would increase from the other side.

About 1500 militants were waiting across the LoC in different camps to sneak into this side before the closure of routes, they said adding attempts would be made to send more militants here to disrupt the polling process in the valley.

However, GOC of 15 Corps Lt General Mukesh Sabarwal told newspersons today that troops were alert to foil any infiltration attempt.

UNI BAS RSA SK KP2050