Srinagar, Sep 28 (KNS): The Army on Tuesday said that it has foiled a major infiltration attempt by killing seven militants and apprehending another one alive along the Line of Control in Uri sector of north Kashmir's Baramulla district in the last one week, 

In a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), defence spokesperson said that in the last week, a total of seven militants have been neutralized and one apprehended, including five along the LoC.

The statement reads that an infiltration bid was made by Pakistani militants along the Line of Control in Uri Sector on the intervening night of 18 and 19 September and the same was eliminated over succeeding nights. "Taking advantage of dark night, uneven ground, bad weather and thick undergrowth, Pakistan harboured militant group Lashkar-e-Toiba attempted to infiltrate six militants from the general area of Pakistani post Jabri. During the infiltration attempt, while two militants were crossing the LoC, own patrolling party established contact with them. Taking advantage of the thick undergrowth, four militants ran back towards the POK side of LoC, while remaining two terrorists to enter into own area," it reads. 

The statement reads that additional forces were inducted and multiple patrols were launched in the suspected areas and the getaway routes were blocked. "On the night of 25 September, contact was again established by one such patrol 800 meters inside the LoC. Eventually by afternoon of 26, one Pakistani militant Atiq-ur-Rehman alias Qari Anas, belonging to Attock in Punjab (Pakistan) aged 33 years was eliminated. The second one, named Ali Babar Patra, son of Late Mohd Lateef of Dipalpur, Okara Punjab (Pakistan), appealed to surrender and was captured alive without causing any harm to him. Indian Army does not differentiate between local militant or Pakistani militant, if the militant is willing to surrender."

It reads that the route taken by the militants to infiltrate was from Sawai Nala Camp to Hallan Shumali Launch pad to Jabri, leading into Salamabad Nala. "It is pertinent to mention here that, it was along Salamabad Nala through which militants infiltrated in 2016 with the help of Pakistan Army and carried out suicide attack on Uri Garrison. The surrendered militant has revealed that his group of six militants primarily belonged to Pakistani Punjab."

It reads that the Kashmir Valley is returning to peace, much to the discomfort of Pakistan and its proxies. "The infiltration bids indicate Pakistan’s desperate attempts to sustain cross border terrorism and bring in weapons to orchestrate violent incidents in the valley by hiring mercenaries from Pakistani hinterland of Punjab. Pakistan Army’s connivance in abetting infiltration continues, as it is difficult to attempt crossing the Line of Control without active support of local Pakistan military commanders."

The statement reads that as per the surrendered Pakistan national, the group of six militants crossed the LoC fence in the shadow of forward Pakistani post Jabri. 

"It is important to bring out that in last week, a total of seven militants have been neutralized and one apprehended alive, including five along the LoC. All ranks of the Chinar Corps are committed to ensure peace and stability in the Kashmir Valley." (KNS)