NEW DELHI, Oct 26: The Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Thursday that five militants were killed during a major operation on the Line of Control (LoC) while they were trying to cross over into the Valley in north Kashmir’s Kupwara.
Security agencies have warned that militants would be trying to cross the LoC before the winter snow shuts down routes.
Following specific intelligence, a joint team of forces launched the operation on the LoC in Kupwara’s Machil sector, police said on Thursday. The joint team then intercepted a group of militants attempting infiltration, and challenged them, police said, adding that the militants then opened fire, leading to a gun battle.
According to police, two militants were killed in an initial exchange of fire, and three more were killed later. The militants belonged to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), police said.
In a statement on X, J&K Police quoted Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar as confirming the death of the five militants. “Identification being ascertained. Search operation in progress. Further details shall follow,” the police’s post said.
Thursday’s infiltration attempt was the second reported one in a period of four days. On Sunday, the Army said two militants were killed during an infiltration attempt in north Kashmir’s Uri sector.
While the Kashmir Valley has seen a steep decline in the number of infiltration attempts during the last two years, security agencies have warned that militants could try to sneak into the Valley before the onset of winter.
On Wednesday, a joint security review meeting at the headquarters of the Army’s 15 Corps had discussed the “nuances of security in the region in relation to the onset of winter season.”
(Manas Dasgupta)
