Two terrorists eliminated on LoC in Balakot sector

Army foils 2nd infiltration bid in 15 days in Poonch district

Shyam Sood

Rajouri, August 21: Alert troops of the Indian Army manning the Line of Control (LoC) in the Hamirpur area of the Balakot sector in the Poonch district have foiled 2nd infiltration bid from across the LoC within 15 days and killed two terrorists while making attempts to sneak into Indian Territory.
On the intervening night of August 6 & 7, the Indian Army had eliminated a dreaded terrorist & Division Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, Muneer Hussain r/o Bagyal Dara (Poonch) while attempting to cross the LoC in Degwar-Malti area of Poonch sector.
PRO (Defence) Jammu, Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said that after multiple intelligence inputs shared by various intelligence agencies about terrorists’ presence across the LoC opposite to Balakot sector waiting to cross the LoC, surveillance grid was placed on heightened alert & multiple ambushes were laid at suitable locations.
Two terrorists were spotted by the alert troops making attempts to cross the LoC in the morning on Monday taking advantage of inclement weather, dense fog, and thick foliage and undulating ground, he added.
“As the terrorists approached the Indian ambush sites, they were challenged and then engaged with effective fire. Both the terrorists attempted to flee from the ambush site by making use of weather and ground conditions but effective fire resulted in one terrorist falling down on the ground near the LC” said PRO.
He added additional troops were moved into the area and search operations commenced in the afternoon after improvement of weather conditions and visibility.
During the search blood trails leading towards LoC were also detected as both the terrorists who attempted to infiltrate were injured due to fire from the Indian troops, but still managed to return across the LoC and later they succumbed to their injuries.
The search of the area led to the recovery of one AK 47 rifle with two magazines, 30 rounds, two grenades, and Pakistan-made medicines.
The Indian troops continue to remain on alert and maintain vigil to foil any attempts of infiltration.