Militants killed in 'difficult' operation at Kupwara were foreigners: IGP Kashmir
Srinagar, Mar 22 : Asserting that the operation conducted in the woods at frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara was 'very difficult' due to dense forest, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir S P Pani said all the five militants killed in the encounter were foreigners.
Mr Pani further said that preliminary investigation revealed that the militants belonged to Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT).
''It was a very difficult operation, as it was conducted in an open area and thick forests. The forces had to take extra precaution, while conducting this operation,'' Mr Pani told reports here, on the sidelines of the wreath laying ceremony of a policeman killed in the gunfight, at Halmatpora forests of Kupwara.
He said a huge cache of arms and ammunition was recovered from the encounter site. ''The militants killed in the gunfight were all foreigners. On the basis of material recovered from the site of the gunfight, it looks like the slain militants were associated with the LeT,'' he added.
The IGP said the operation was at a 'controlling stage' and that searches were underway at some places.
When asked if the militants recently infiltrated into this side from the other side of the Line of Control (LoC), Mr Pani said the forces were looking into it.
Five militants were killed and as many security force personnel were martyred in the encounter, which ensued on Tuesday in Halmatpora forests of Kupwara.