JK: Major infiltration attempt failed in Bandipora, encounter between terrorists and soldiers on LoC

Security forces foiled a major infiltration attempt on the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of Bandipora district in North Kashmir. After seeing the movement of terrorists near the LoC fence, the alert soldiers challenged them. The infiltrating terrorists also opened fire, in response to which the security forces also opened fire. After this the encounter started. Earlier on August 30, the army killed three infiltrators in two separate operations on the Line of Control in Kupwara district of North Kashmir.

Army officials said that a joint operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police after receiving intelligence about possible infiltration attempts on the intervening night of 28-29 August in Tangdhar of Kupwara district. Another joint operation was launched at about the same time after receiving information about suspicious activities on the LoC in Machil of Kupwara district. Taking advantage of the bad weather, the terrorists were trying to enter the Indian territory from across the border. The alert soldiers targeted the intruders and opened fire, in which two terrorists were killed.

Two AK-47 rifles, a pistol, four hand grenades and other objectionable materials were recovered from the slain terrorists. For the past few months, continuous operations are being carried out against infiltrators in Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts of North Kashmir. Infiltration attempts, attacks and recovery of weapons have been reported from Kathua, Samba, Udhampur, Doda, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu. Infiltration attempts are being made at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is preparing for assembly elections after nearly ten years.

Voting for the 90-member assembly of the Union Territory is to be held on September 18, 25 and October 1. The results will be declared on October 4. Indian Army and BSF officials have said that despite the latest ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan since February 2021, several infiltration attempts have been made along the Line of Control and the International Border in the Jammu region. Police and army officials say that highly trained foreign infiltrators remain a challenge. According to officials, 70 to 80 foreign infiltrators are active in Jammu and almost the same number are active in the Kashmir Valley. They have infiltrated through old infiltration routes used in the early 1990s and are operating in small groups.