SFs resume search operation in north Kashmir woods

Srinagar, May 19: Security forces resumed search operation on Saturday morning in the woods in the frontier district of Kupwara, where three foreign infiltrators were killed in an encounter on Friday, official sources said.

With the first light this morning, security forces resumed search operation in the dense forest in Vilgam Handwara forest in the frontier district of Kupwara, where two militants are reportedly hiding.

Despite wet weather conditions and difficult terrain, security forces are searching the woods, sources said. However, so far no fresh contact has been established with the militants, they added.

Sources said five militants had infiltrated into this side from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) yesterday.

However, troops of 15 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), during a routine patrolling, intercepted the group in Brinjal forest Vilgam, Handwara. When challenged and asked to surrender, the militants resorted to indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons. Troops also retaliated and in the fierce encounter, three unidentified militants, reportedly foreigners, were killed. It is believed that two more militants are hiding in the forest.

This was the first encounter after Centre announced halting of anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the month of Holy Ramzan.

It is reported that a large number of trained militants, mostly foreigners, are waiting at launchpads near Line of Control (LoC) to sneak into this side as snow on higher reaches had melted. However, troops are already on high alert to foil any infiltration attempt.