On Tuesday, the Indian Army ended the encounter in Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir. One of the biggest anti-infiltration bids in Jammu and Kashmir lasted for 15 days.
Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra told reporters that the dead bodies of the seven militants have been found along with a huge cache of arms and ammunition.
Among the arms and ammunition recovered from militants include AK-47 rifles, pistols, one sniper rifle, 20 UBGL grenades, radio-sets and other war-like stuff. Most of the weapons and ammunition found carry the ‘Made in Pakistan’ tag. Some medicines and food articles manufactured in Pakistan were also found there.
Army Chief General Bikram Singh had described the incident as “a desperate infiltration bid” that “has been filled”. According to sources about 30 to 40 militants and Pakistani troops had infiltrated into Keran sector in Kupwara district. The encounter in Shalbhatti village had started on September 24 and lasted for 15 long days.
Gen Singh said the infiltration attempt was not an “intrusion” as the enemy was not occupying higher ground but sitting in a “nallah” (rivulet).
Gen Chachra slammed claims that the infiltration chanced without the implicit support of the Pakistani army. He said there are identity proofs and a letter recovered from infiltrators to establish the claim.
He further said. “We are prepared… the sanctity of the LOC has been well maintained and counter-infiltration operations will continue.”
The Lt Gen rubbished the reports that the militants had occupied an abandoned Indian post along the line of actual control.