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Indian Army Kills 8 Afghan Hard Core Militants in Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Aug 1: The Indian army today claimed that it foiled a major infiltration bid by militants to sneak into Kashmir from across the border near Uri sector, by killing eight well armed Afghan hard core militants. An Indian army officer and a soldier were also killed in the fierce gunfight.

Indian Army spokesman in Srinagar, Col A K Mathur told Newsblaze that Indian army deployed along the frontier with Pakistan in Uri sector had prior intelligence information that Pakistan may launch foreign militants into Kashmir from this sector. "The security apparatus in the border sector was tightened and army personnel were put on maximum alert. On the morning of July 30, soldiers of 9 Maratha Li Regiment deployed in the Uri sector noticed a group of eight militants sneaking into this side of LoC from across the border", he said.

Col Mathur said that the Commanding Officer (CO) of 9 MLI, Colonel Vasanth led a group of soldiers and moved swiftly to cut off the movement of the militants. He successfully intercepted and fired upon the militants. The militants returned the fire, triggering an encounter. The fierce exchange of gunfight between the militants and security forces lasted till midnight August 1. During the fierce gunfight, both sides exchanged fire with heavy weapons.

The army spokesman said that the gunbattle culminated after the death of all the eight militants. The army officer, Col Vasanth and a soldier were also killed in the fierce gunfight. An Indian army soldier was injured and was removed to army hospital where he is undergoing treatment.

Colonel Mathur claimed that the slain militants were Afghan hard core militants and were heavily armed and well equipped with explosives, AK-47 rifles and communication equipment. "A large quantity of arms and ammunition were seized from the encounter site", he added.

Meanwhile, a militant owing allegiance to Pakistan based group, Jaish-e-Mohammad was killed in an encounter with Indian police and army at Zaloora area, Sopore in North Kashmir. The slain militant is identified as Mohammed Talah Rehan, a Pakistani national. An AK rifle, two magazines and one grenade was recovered from his possession, a police officer said.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.