Infiltration bid foiled by Army, 1 militant killed

Srinagar: The Army on Friday said that it foiled an infiltration bid from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district by killing a militant. 

Defence spokesman Rajesh Kalia said that the infiltration bid took place in Machael sector of Kupwara. 

“Terrorists tried to sneak in J&K after breaching the LoC but our alert soldiers foiled their attempt. One terrorist was killed,” he said. On Thursday night, two soldiers and a militant were killed in a firefight at Samboora in Pulwama district.

The two other militants were trapped inside a private house when the Army’s 50 Rashtriya Rifles, the J&K police’s counterinsurgency Special Operations Group 
and the CRPF launched a cordon-and-search operation, however, succeeded in breaking the security dragnet and escaped from the area. 

The rail and internet services in the area were suspended “as a precautionary measure”. The Army on Friday paid tributes to the slain soldiers Suraj Singh Topal and Kushwah Pradip Singh Brijkishor at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the 15 Corps in Srinagar. 

“Corps Commander Lt Gen J.S. Sandhu and all ranks paid homage to the martyrs on behalf of a proud nation. In a show of solidarity, officials from the government and other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs,” said a statement. 

Sepoy Topal (25) is survived by his parents and two sisters, the Army said. It added that Signalman Brijkishor (22) a resident of Gujarat, is survived by his parents and a brother. 

Later the mortal remains of the martyrs were flown out of Srinagar for last rites at their native places. “We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families of the martyrs and remain committed to their dignity and well-being,” said Lt. Gen. Sandhu.