5 militants killed at LoC while trying to infiltrate: J&K Police

Security agencies have warned that militants would be trying to cross the LoC before the winter snow shuts down routes.

Thursday's infiltration attempt was the second reported one in a period of four days. (Express photo by Shuaib Masoodi/File)

Listen to this article

00:00

1x 1.5x 1.8x

The Jammu and Kashmir Police said on Thursday that five militants were killed during a major operation on the Line of Control (LoC) while they were trying to cross over into the Valley in north Kashmir’s Kupwara.

Security agencies have warned that militants would be trying to cross the LoC before the winter snow shuts down routes.

Following specific intelligence, a joint team of forces launched the operation on the LoC in Kupwara’s Machil sector, police said on Thursday. The joint team then intercepted a group of militants attempting infiltration, and challenged them, police said, adding that the militants then opened fire, leading to a gun battle.

According to police, two militants were killed in an initial exchange of fire, and three more were killed later. The militants belonged to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), police said.

In a statement on X, J&K Police quoted Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar as confirming the death of the five militants. “Identification being ascertained. Search operation in progress. Further details shall follow,” the police’s post said.

#KupwaraEncounterUpdate: Three (03) more #terrorists of LeT killed (Total 05). Identification being ascertained. Search #operation in progress. Further details shall follow: ADGP Kashmir@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/qOMWE0M3uh

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) October 26, 2023

Thursday’s infiltration attempt was the second reported one in a period of four days. On Sunday, the Army said two militants were killed during an infiltration attempt in north Kashmir’s Uri sector.

While the Kashmir Valley has seen a steep decline in the number of infiltration attempts during the last two years, security agencies have warned that militants could try to sneak into the Valley before the onset of winter.

On Wednesday, a joint security review meeting at the headquarters of the Army’s 15 Corps had discussed the “nuances of security in the region in relation to the onset of winter season”.

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
Jammu and Kashmir encounter