Kashmir: Army major, three soldiers killed in foiled infiltration bid
An Army major and three soldiers were killed while trying to foil an infiltration bid in Bandipora, North Kashmir, this morning. At least two terrorists were also neutralized. According to initial reports, eight heavily-armed men were trying to cross the border into India, but were intercepted by soldiers of 36 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) at Baktor in Gurez sector. Four ran back to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Forces are being rushed in to the site and a gunfight is underway, officials said. Three terrorists have reportedly been trapped and are likely to be eliminated, The Week reports. The men are suspected to have chosen Gurez as other sectors are guarded and monitored round-the-clock.
The martyrs have been identified as Major KP Rane, hawaldars Jamie Singh and Vikramjeet, and rifleman Mandeep, TOI reports. There's no information yet on the identity of the terrorists. Last week, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had asserted all infiltration attempts would be thwarted. "I will keep doing that irrespective of what is happening there (in Pakistan)," she had said.
On Friday, five terrorists were killed in Kilora village in Shopian, South Kashmir. One of them was identified as an LeT commander. The operation was launched after the army and Special Operations Group received intel about presence of militants. At least three people were injured when forces opened fire on protesters at the funeral of one of them in Gunawpora in the same district.
