The security personnel foiled an infiltration bid and killed two terrorists.
An Army major and three soldiers were killed while trying to prevent militants from infiltrating into north Kashmir’s Gurez, officials told news agency PTI on Tuesday. A group of militants attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory were intercepted by the security personnel at Govind Nallah in Gurez sector of Bandipore district. At least two militants were killed in the subsequent exchange of fire. Army reinforcements were rushed to the encounter site.
The deceased have been identified as Major K P Rane, hawaldars Jamie Singh and Vikramjeet and rifleman Mandeep. Initial reports said a group of eight was trying to infiltrate into the country. Of them, four ran back to Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, officials said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir informed the Lok Sabha today that 69 terrorists have infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir from across the border till June this year. There were 133 attempts of infiltration by terrorists from across the border and there were 69 net infiltrations, he said in written reply to a question.
The four Army personnel who lost their lives in Gurez Sector of J&K earlier today.
1. Major Kaustubh Prakash Kumar Rane
2. Rifleman Mandeep Singh Rawat
3. Rifleman Hameer Singh
4. Gunner Vikram Jeet Singh pic.twitter.com/rqo83R8kvu— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2018
Ahir said till June this year, 14 terrorists were killed while 50 others were returned from border. A total of 123 terrorists could enter Jammu and Kashmir following 406 infiltration attempts from across the border in 2017.
“As per reports, some locals have been found supporting terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Appropriate action under law is taken against such persons. Security forces have been tackling terrorism successfully and as a result 694 terrorists have been neutralized and 368 terrorists or suspects have also been apprehended since 2014 to July, 2018,” he said.