Srinagar, Jun 10: Six militants were killed on Sunday as the Army claimed foiling an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.
“An infiltration bid has been eliminated along the LoC in Keran Sector (Kupwara district),” a defence spokesman said here.
He said six militants attempting to infiltrate into this side of the LoC have been killed. The search operations were continuing in the area, the spokesman said.
Troops noticed suspicious movement along the LoC in Keran sector in Kupwara district of north Kashmir and challenged the infiltrators, another Army official said.
This is the fourth such incidence since the Government of India announced non-initiation of combat operations (NICO) in Kashmir on May 16.
As many as 17 militants have been killed in these encounters.
On June 6, three militants were killed when Army foiled an infiltration bid in Machil sector of Kupwara. On May 26, Army had said that five militants were killed while they were trying to cross the Line of Control (LoC) in Tanghdar. On May 18, three militants were killed close to Line of Control in Handwara forest.
Most of these militants are believed to be foreigners, except two of the five killed in Tanghdar whose bodies were exhumed and handed over to their heir families from Pulwama and Kulgam.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who recently was on a two-day visit of Jammu and Kashmir, had said that a decision whether to extend the conditional Ramadan ceasefire in the state or not will be taken after reviewing and assessing the security situation.
“The decision regarding the extension of Ramadan ceasefire will be taken after proper consultation with the public representatives and reviewing the security situation. We need to review the security situation and other related matters at the highest level. It will be done soon and thereafter decision in connection with the extension of ceasefire will be taken,” he told reporters in frontier Kupwara.
The Centre had on May 16 announced suspending military operations against separatist militants in J&K “to help the peace-loving Muslims observe Ramadan in a peaceful environment”.
Singh had at a press conference said where referring to the surge in militants activities after the conditional ceasefire announcement said, “Shouldn’t we call napak (impure) those who don’t stop such activities even during the holy month of Ramadan?”
He had also said that however despite provocations the security forces including the Army and the J&K police have worked with utmost restraint. He said, “I would like to repeat, that no matter how many obstacles come in our way, we will not be deterred to bring lasting peace to Kashmir.”
A day before the home minister’s arrival, CM Mehbooba Mufti had tweeted, “Even as we see the ceasefire bringing great relief to the people of J&K, militants seem to be continuing their violent activities & desperately trying to sabotage the process. I only hope that they realise the futility of their actions soon.”
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