5 slain ultras were backed by Pak: Army

Amin Masoodi

Tangdhar, (Kupwara) May 27

The Pakistan army backed the infiltrating militants who were killed during an hours-long operation near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Tangdhar sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday, a senior Army officer said on Sunday.

The recovery of war-like stores from the five slain militants was indicative of active aiding and abetting of terrorism by Pakistan as a lot of modern weaponry, including an under-barrel grenade launcher, and food items bore Pakistan markings, the Army officer said.

“The slain militants were heavily armed and equipped with modern weaponry. The recovery of weapons and ammunition from them apparently indicate the role of Pakistan in aiding and abetting terrorism in Kashmir,” Brigadier PK Mishra, who heads the Army’s 104 Brigade in Tangdhar, told reporters on Sunday.

“Also, through surveillance devices, the movement of infiltrating militants was detected from a close range to the Pakistani army. In other words, the Pakistani army was seen backing the infiltrating militants to cross through the icy and snowbound heights into the Indian territory on Thursday. Based on this vital observation, we re-deployed some of our interception detachments to trap the militants,” he added.

Giving details about the operation, the Army officer said during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, a group of five militants finally walked into interception deaths and ambushes, which had been placed firmly.

“They were challenged but they retaliated with a heavy volume of gunfire and were engaged by the troops. They tried to withdraw and break the contact but the troops and their commanders on the ground kept them engaged in the gunfight. The terrorists split into two groups to prolong the gunfight but they were neutralised after a fierce and an hours-long gun battle,” the Army officer said.

The troops and their officers showed a great amount of tactical acumen and succeeded in foiling the infiltration of the heavily armed group of militants equipped with modern weaponry, which is indeed credible, the officer said.

To a question, the Army officer said intelligence agencies did suggest that a lot of militant groups were desperately trying to sneak into the Indian side.

“We expect more such bids in future. We are exercising maximum restraint in the wake of Ramzan and ceasefire, which has been promulgated by the government,” he said.

“While we are respecting the ceasefire, Pakistan obviously does not intend to do so. The troops are vigilant and always ready to negate any such attempt,” he added.