An Army soldier and a Pakistani infiltrator were killed in a gunfight that followed an attack on an Army post close to the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on July 27 morning.
An Army spokesman said a group of two to three infiltrators took advantage of bad weather and poor visibility along the LoC in Machil Sector and “fired on a forward Army post from close proximity”.
“The alert troops responded vigorously and in the ensuing exchange of fire, one Pakistani intruder has been killed. Weapons, ammunition and war-like stores were also recovered. The identity and affiliation of this Pakistani national is being ascertained,” the Army said.
The Army said the infiltrators and soldiers were engaged in “an intense exchange of fire”. “Two of our brave soldiers suffered some grave injuries and were immediately evacuated to the Base Hospital at Srinagar. Unfortunately, one of these bravehearts succumbed to his injuries. The other braveheart is responding well to treatment and is presently stable,” the Army said.
The deceased soldier was identified as Rifleman Mohit Rathour. “Chinar Warriors salute his immense valour and sacrifice, express deepest condolence and stand in solidarity with the bereaved family,” the Army said.
In the past too, infiltrators, actively aided and abetted by the Pakistani Army, have made similar attempts, exploiting the thick foliage and poor visibility conditions. “As always, the attempt was successfully thwarted and disrupted. The Indian Army is firm in its resolve and commitment to maintain the sanctity of the LoC and defeat the nefarious and inimical designs of the Pakistan Army,” the Army said.
Kupwara has witnessed two major encounters in the recent past. While three infiltrators were killed in the Keran Sector on July 14, a group of militants was intercepted near Trimukha Top in the Lolab Valley three days ago.
The latest encounter came just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of a “befitting response to Pakistan’s support to terrorists and its proxy war”.
“Pakistan is trying to keep itself relevant by supporting terrorism and proxy war. I want to tell these patrons of terrorism that their nefarious intentions will never succeed. Our soldiers will crush terrorism with full force and the enemy will be given a befitting reply,” Mr. Modi said, while speaking at the 25th anniversary of the 1999 Kargil war, on July 26.
Sketches released
Meanwhile, the J&K Police released sketches of three suspected militants involved in the terror attack in Doda district on July 16, in which four soldiers were killed.
“These terrorists are moving in the upper reaches of Doda and Dessa area and are involved in a recent terror incident at the Urar Bagi area. A cash reward of ₹5 lakh has been announced for providing information on each of these terrorists,” the police said.
