Tasaduq Hussain
Kupwara, Oct 26: Five unidentified terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) were killed in a joint operation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Thursday.
A huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the slain terrorists. On Thursday afternoon, an encounter broke out between terrorists and joint security forces comprising Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Officials said that five unidentified terrorists were killed in a joint operation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector.
They said that the forces had engaged in an encounter with terrorists following specific intelligence information provided by Kupwara police.
The officials said that in the initial exchange of gunfire, two terrorists were killed and as the encounter progressed, three more were gunned down later.
ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar in a post on X informed that “Three (03) more terrorists of LeT killed (Total 05). Identification being ascertained. Search operation in progress.”
Earlier, Srinagar based defence spokesman in a post on X had informed about foiling of an infiltration bid along LoC in Kupwara.
“In a Joint Operation launched by Indian Army, @JmuKmrPolice & Intelligence agencies on 26 Oct 23, an infiltration bid has been foiled by alert troops along the LoC in Kupwara sector,” it posted.
It said that joint anti infiltration operations by Rashtriya Rifle (RR) troops in Machil Sector, Kupwara have resulted in elimination of five terrorists who were attempting to cross the Line of Control into Kashmir.
“05xAK Rifles & other war-like stores have been recovered. The operation has been concluded,” it wrote. “ChinarCorps remains resolute in its commitment to keep Kashmir terror-free.”
Meanwhile, a Police spokesman in a statement issued here said that based on an intelligence input generated by Kupwara Police, an infiltration bid was successfully foiled in a joint operation launched by Police & Army along the Line of Control in Machil Sector of Kupwara district. “In this swift and coordinated operation, five (05) terrorists were neutralized.”
“After receiving the intelligence input, the joint party of Kupwara police & Army (56RR) swiftly launched an anti-terrorist operation during the intervening night of 25-26th October at Sardari Nar area along the Line of Control in Machil Sector.”
The spokesman said that besides, multiple ambushes were laid by the joint teams along the LoC. “Today, the joint team observed movement of terrorists in the thick dense forests of the area who were taking advantage of difficult terrain to our side.”
“Employing meticulous tactics, the terrorists were intercepted who fired indiscriminately upon the joint team. The fire was retaliated, leading to the elimination of five (05) unidentified terrorists linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT,” the spokesman said. “The identification of the killed terrorists is being ascertained.”
The spokesman also said that a cache of arms & ammunition including five (05) AK rifles & other incriminating materials have been recovered from the site of the encounter.
“All the recovered materials have been taken into case records for further investigation. In this regard, Police have registered a case under relevant sections of law and investigation has been initiated. Extensive search of the area is being carried out and further details if any will be shared accordingly,” the spokesman added.
Quoting ADGP Kashmir, the spokesman said that he has appreciated the role Kupwara Police for generating the actionable input & the role of joint forces for swiftly tracking & neutralizing the infiltrating terrorists to defeat the nefarious designs of inimical elements who are hell-bent to disrupt peace and harmony in the valley.
