Srinagar, July 15 (UNI) A day after three militants were killed along the Line of Control in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said they had input over the past few weeks that terrorists across the launch pad in the Keran sector were planning to infiltrate to “disrupt the normalcy in general and the Amarnath Yatra in particular.”
Addressing a joint media conference, Brigadier N. L. Kulkarni said that the three terrorists killed in Keran on Sunday were foreigners who tried to take advantage of the thick foliage and poor visibility to sneak across the LoC on Sunday.
“Over the past few weeks, there have been multiple intelligence inputs from various intelligence agencies with respect to the presence of terrorists in multiple launchpads, opposite the Keran sector of Kupwara district. The inputs were primarily of terrorists planning to infiltrate and carry out sabotage and subversive activities in the hinterland with a view to disrupting normalcy in general and the Amarnath Yatra in particular,” Army Brigadier said.
The LoC along the Keran sector is guarded by the 268th Brigade of the Kupwara-based Army’s 28 Mountain Division.
Giving details about the counter-infiltration operation, named Operation Dhanush-2, Brigadier Kulkarni said after the input, the area on and ahead of the LoC was aggressively dominated by troops for the last few weeks.
“On July 12, specific input was given by own intelligence agencies, and it was further corroborated by Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding the mixed group of foreign terrorists likely to infiltrate through the Keran sector, leveraging dense cover of forests and thick undergrowth along the ‘nalas’. Accordingly, multiple ambushes were jointly laid by the Army, BSF, and JK Police since the night of July 13–14. On the routes of infiltration, we were maintaining complete surveillance of the area,” the Army officer said.
He said on July 14, at approximately 3 p.m., the movement of three terrorists was spotted in the area under the control of the Pakistan Army across the LoC.
“Employing high-tech surveillance devices, the movement of terrorists was continuously tracked. The terrorists, taking advantage of the thick foliage and poor visibility, sneaked across the Line of Control and started moving towards the fence. The ambush was sprung at an opportune moment, and the terrorists were engaged with precise fire well ahead of the LoC fence. The terrorists were heavily armed, well trained, and equipped with sophisticated weaponry and equipment. In the ensuing intense firefight, three foreign terrorists were neutralized.” Brigadier Kulkarni
He said a detailed search of the area was subsequently carried out, which led to the recovery of large quantities of war-like stores.
“Thus, the evil designs of the adversary to infiltrate terrorists across and vitiate the peaceful situation were nipped in the bud,” Brigadier Kulkarni said.
“The Indian Army, along with the other security agencies, are committed to defeat the evil designs of our adversary, and like in Operation “Operation Dhanush-2”, every such attempt will be appropriately neurtalized in an appropriate manner to ensure security, safety, and our lasting peace in J&K,” he added.
