New Delhi: The Indian Army hit out at Pakistan Thursday, accusing it of “deceit” under the “garb of ceasefire” at the Line of Control (LoC) as an infiltration attempt was foiled in Jammu & Kashmir’s Keran sector, amid rising violence in the Valley.
Three terrorists were killed Thursday while they were attempting to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
In a statement, Srinagar-based 15 Corps, also known as Chinar Corps, which takes care of the entire LoC and operations in Kashmir Valley, said “exporting terrorism in J&K has been a state policy of Pakistan in the last three decades”.
It said that increased desperation of terrorist handlers in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) is evident as a result of effect-based operations conducted by the Indian Army, and prevailing peace and tranquility evident from large number of tourists coming to the Valley.
“Pakistan’s nefarious designs to revive the dying agenda and keep the pot boiling in J&K under the garb of Ceasefire Understanding by the Pakistan Army is the new deceit. The elimination of three Pakistani terrorists, recovery of war-like stores to include stores for Improvised Explosive Devices is a clear indication of an intent to disrupt peace, prosperity of locals and the impending Amarnath Yatra,” the statement said.
Giving details of the infiltration attempt, the army said that the counter-operation was launched based on joint intelligence from several agencies, including the senior superintendent of police, Kupwara.
Several search parties were formed, which conducted searches and established multiple ambushes.
“Contact with terrorists was established at 4.45 am on 26 May in the forward areas close to the LoC, leading to heavy exchange of fire. One civil porter also lost his life in the firefight. The thorough search was conducted in the morning and concluded at about 2 pm,” the army further said.
It added that a search of the area led to the discovery of the terrorists’ bodies, three AK rifles, one pistol, six grenades and large quantity of ammunition and stores related to Improvised Explosive Devices.
On Wednesday, Amreen Bhat, a social media influencer, became the latest victim of a killing campaign targeting enemies of Kashmiri jihadists — police, minorities, and now, a maker of innocuous music videos.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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