J-K’s record kill: 13 Pak militants shot in a day

According to sources, the troops zeroed in on 10 to 12 square kilometre of the Hill Kakka forests, following specific information about the presence of a large group of militants there. All the escape routes were plugged by the jawans, the sources added.

However, when the troops started combing the forests to track down the militants, the latter opened heavy volume of fire, besides hurling grenades at them. In the ensuing gun battle that continued for several hours, the troops killed 13 Pakistani militants, sources added.

Four jawans were injured in the exchange of fire, one of whom later died. The injured have been hospitalised.

The troops had so far recovered 10 AK rifles, one pika gun, three cellular phones and a large quantity of medicines, besides items of daily use.

This was the biggest number of militants killed in a single encounter either by security forces or police in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, the sources said, adding that in 1999, troops had shot dead nine militants in Morha Bachai, Surankote.

Four militants were killed by troops in another encounter at Kalakote. The details of the incident were awaited. Ten militants were killed by Army troops near the LoC at Balnoi Nar in Mendhar, Poonch, two days back. With this, the total number of militants, killed in Poonch in the past three days has risen to 27. Sources said an operation launched by security forces in Manjakote area of Rajouri was also in progress.

Troops also busted a militant hideout in Surankote and recovered three UBGL launchers, four UBGL grenades, one RPG sight, 27 AK rounds, 25 mt cordex wire and an IED.