J&K: 2 Pak intruders shot dead, 3 soldiers killed on LoC

Srinagar, Oct 21: The Army on Sunday shot dead two intruders while three of its soldiers were killed in a gunfight in Sunderbani sector on the Line of Control (LoC).

The security forces have recovered weapons from the intruders. A minimum of two AK-47 rifles has been recovered.

The intruders are believed to be members of a Border Action Team (BAT) comprising Pakistan Army jawans and trained terrorists, an army officer said on condition of anonymity.

"At about 1.45 pm, Indian Army in Sunderbani sector had a fierce encounter with heavily armed Pakistani intruders very close to the LoC. The patrol (team) killed two intruders and recovered war-like stores including two AK-47 rifles," the spokesman said.

He said three soldiers were killed fighting the intruders and another soldier suffered grievous injuries and has been airlifted to the Army Command hospital in Udhampur.

The injured soldier's condition is reported to be stable, the spokesman said.

He said the area near the encounter site was cordoned off and a "search-and-destroy" operation is in progress.

The encounter took place just hours after three Pakistan-backed terrorists were neutralised by the security forces after a fierce gunbattle in Larro area of Kulgam district of South Kashmir.

A top Lashkar-e-Toiba commander, who was identified as Sheeraz Moulvi, was among the three terrorists killed in the encounter. However, two others managed to escape.

One soldier was also injured in the cross-firing by the terrorists during the anti-terror operation.