Three local militants who are suspected to have crossed over to Pakistan to bring a consignment into Jammu and Kashmir were caught and a large quantity of arms, ammunition, explosives and narcotics were seized, as the security forces foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Khari area of Poonch district in the early hours of Wednesday, according to the Army. The development is seen as a major success in the fight against the terror network in Pir Panjal region, comprising Poonch and Rajouri districts, which has seen a spurt in militant activities over the last few months. Militants have killed at least 10 soldiers and seven civilians in the two districts so far this year. All three militants apprehended come from Karmara village of Poonch district, a police officer said. One of them — Mohammad Farooq, 26 — was hospitalised after he sustained a bullet injury on leg during an exchange of fire with the forces, the Army stated. The other two militants were identified as Mohammad RIaz, 23, and Mohammad Zubair, 22. The seizures include an AK-56 rifle along with a magazine and 10 rounds, two pistols along with four magazines and 70 rounds, six grenades, 10 kg improvised explosive device (IED) fabricated in a pressure cooker, and 20 packets of heroin, according to the Army. Sources said the trio had picked up a consignment of arms, ammunition, explosives and narcotics from near the LoC in Khari area of Poonch during early hours of Wednesday. Security forces, alerted by intelligence, ambushed them. On being challenged, the militants opened fire and injured a soldier, Sepoy Jaspreet Singh, and in retaliatory fire Farooq was injured, according to the Army PRO, Lt Colonel Devender Anand. Identity of the suspected infiltrators is being ascertained but it is believed that they are local men who had crossed over to Pakistan to bring the consignment of arms, ammunition and narcotics into J&K, according to information. Army and police teams subsequently conducted searches at houses of the captured militants in Karmara village. Their questioning is in progress, sources said. Adjoining villages, Khari and Karmara are situated near the Chakkan Da Bagh Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC), which acted as a major point on the Indian side for cross-LoC travel and trade with Pakistan through Poonch-Rawalakot road. Most local residents of the two villages worked as coolies at the TFC to load and unload goods from vehicles headed for and coming from Pakistan. In April 2019, the government indefinitely suspended travel and trade across the LoC following reports that it was being “misused” by elements from the other side to smuggle weapons, narcotics and fake currency. Cross-LoC travel and trade had started through Chakkan Da Bagh in Poonch district of Jammu division and Salamabad in Baramulla district of Kashmir division in 2006 and 2008, respectively, as one of the major confidence-building measures (CBMs) between people of India and Pakistan. Although trade was based on a barter system and third-party origin goods were not allowed, Pakistan is learnt to have transferred huge amounts of funds to fund terror activities by sending California almonds to traders on the Indian side.
