Army foils attack by Pak’s BAT along LoC, kills five

Srinagar, August 3

The Army has foiled an attack by Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) on a forward post along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, killing at least five to seven intruders. The BAT attempt was made in Keran sector on Thursday. The BAT generally comprises special forces personnel of the Pakistani Army and terrorists. “A BAT attempt was made on one of the forward posts in Keran sector (in Kupwara district) and foiled by alert troops resulting in neutralising of five to seven Pakistani regulars/terrorists,” defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said.

At least five bodies, possibly of Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group (SSG) commandos or terrorists, were seen in close proximity of an Indian post in the sector, sources said, adding that search operations and attempts to take the bodies were being continuously interfered with by Pakistani troops deployed in the area.

The defence spokesman said Pakistan has made a number of attempts in the last 36 hours to disturb peace in the Valley and to target Amarnath Yatra.

Four hardcore Jaish-e-Mohammad militants were neutralised in two operations in which a cache of sniper rifle, IED and mine with Pakistan markings were recovered, he said.

“This clearly indicates complicity of Pakistan in terror activities. Security forces will continue to respond to all nefarious activities along the LoC and hinterland,” he said. 

This year, despite Balakot airstrikes, the infiltration has not stopped from across. Sources said over 30 militants managed to sneak into J&K till May-end.

A senior Army official said Pakistan has desperately attempted to push terrorists belonging to JeM and other outfits into Jammu and Kashmir over the last few days. “The response by security forces vindicates the build up in the hinterland,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)