BAT attack foiled along LoC, two 'likely Pakistani soldiers' killed
What's the story
A major Border Action Team (BAT) attack has been foiled along the Line of Control (LoC) in Naugam sector of Jammu and Kashmir by killing two intruders who are "likely Pakistani soldiers". "Army foiled a major BAT attempt to strike a forward post along the Line of Control in Naugam Sector in the early hours of Sunday," an Army spokesman said today. Read more.
Plan
Intruders attempted to come via thick jungles close to LoC
Giving brief about the attack, the official said the intruders attempted to come in by exploiting the thick jungles close to the LoC and were assisted by heavy covering fire of high caliber weapons such as mortars and rocket launchers from the Pakistani posts. "The movement was nonetheless detected by the vigilant Indian Army troops deployed along the LoC," he said.
Confirmation
Exchange of fire continued the whole night, says Army spokesperson
The spokesman said the fire-fight initiated by Pakistan was given strong retaliation by the Indian Army, and the exchange of fire continued the whole night. "Our troops conducted prolonged search operations in thick jungles and difficult terrain conditions to ascertain the situation, which confirmed the elimination of two likely Pakistani soldiers and resulted in recovery of a large cache of warlike stores," he said.
Information
Some managed to escape given adverse weather and visibility conditions
The official said the search operations are still underway in the sector to sanitize the area. He said it was also reported that a few other intruders managed to escape across the LoC, taking advantage of the Pakistani firing and adverse weather and visibility conditions.
Details
'Intruders were wearing BSF uniform, combat dresses like Pakistani Regulars'
"Intruders were wearing combat dresses like Pakistani Regulars and were carrying stores with Pakistani markings further reinforced the assessment," said the official. "Some intruders were also seen in BSF and old pattern IA dresses as part of the deception," he said. The spokesman said the intruders were well equipped with IEDs, incendiary materials, explosives and a plethora of arms and ammunition.
Comment
Recovered arms signal towards gruesome attack on Indian Army post
The official said, "From the recovery, it was estimated that they intended to carry out a gruesome attack on the Indian Army forward post in Naugam sector." "The alertness and resilience of the own troops, who engaged and neutralized the intruders, thus eliminated a likely treacherous attack on the Army forward posts along the LoC on the eve of New Year," he said.
Statement
We'll ask Pakistan to take back bodies of intruders: Army
Army authorities have applauded the courage of troops, the spokesman said, adding the Indian Army's resolve to keep a strict vigil along the LoC and defeat all such nefarious designs of Pakistan will continue to remain consistent. "We'll ask Pakistan to take back the mortal remains of deceased likely Pakistani soldiers since Pakistan did provide full covering fire support to these intruders," he said.