Year's biggest infiltration foiled

An Indian Army lieutenant and 12 militants were killed in north Kashmir on Saturday, in the biggest infiltration attempt from Pakistan this year. HT Correspondent reports. Watch video

An Indian Army lieutenant and 12 militants were killed in north Kashmir on Saturday, in the biggest infiltration attempt from Pakistan this year.

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Two army jawans were also injured in the day-long gunbattle in Gurez sector of Bandipora district.

The infiltration attempt — the eighth this month — from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was foiled when a group of militants tried to cross the Line of Control (LoC) near the Kishanganga river.

"At around 1am on Saturday, our troops intercepted the group trying to infiltrate through the Kishanganga river on inflatable boats," said Srinagar-based defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel JS Brar.

Army officials said the boats were similar to those used in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

"Five AK-47 rifles, a pistol, two boats, 50 grenades, two radio sets, two compasses and a global positioning system device were recovered," said Brar.

While the gunbattle ended at 5pm, the combing operation in the neighbouring forests went on till late evening, as sources said the army feared that it had been a group of 17 militants.