One Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) Militant was killed while another surrendered during an operation in the Uri sector of Jammu Kashmir, said the Indian Army on Tuesday.
According to Major General Virendra Vats, General officer commanding (GOC), 19 Infantry Division, the Militant was killed on Sunday.
“After he was neutralised, another Militant, identified as Ali Babar Patra (19), pleaded for his life and later surrendered,” he said.
The eliminated Militant has been identified as Atiq ur Rehman alias Qari Anas (33).
The operation was carried out over nine days along the Line of Control (LoC) border near Salamabad nallah in the Uri sector.
“On September 18, when the patrolling team detected the infiltration movement by a group of six people along the LoC, an encounter took place. During the encounter, two infiltrators crossed the border and sneaked into the Indian side, while the four others–Tayyab (24), Abu Bakkar Salfi (22), Abu Khitab (35), and Usman alias Abu Slaria (27)– remained on the Pakistan side,” said Major General Vats. He further said,
“After the firefight, the four Militants, who were on the other side of the LoC fence, retreated back to Pakistan, taking the advantage of dense foliage and darkness,” adding that additional forces were mobilised to cordon off the area in order to trace the two Militants, who sneaked into the Indian side.
“On September 25, we traced down the two Militants at Salamabad nallah. Of the two, one was killed on September 26 morning. Once this Militant was killed, his accomplices, Ali Babar Patra, pleaded for his life. The surrendered Militant is a resident of Okara district in Punjab, Pakistan.” he added.
The Militant, who is a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) member, revealed that he underwent three-week training in Muzaffarabad.
Salamabad Nallah is the same area that had a history of infiltration in 2016, the Army officer said.
“This infiltration group was supported by Pakistan side by three porters who had come till LoC along with supplies,” said Vats.
He also stated that the movement of such a large group cannot take without the complicity of the Pakistan army deployed on the other side.
“There have been movements at launch pads across LoC. In last seven days, seven Militants have been neutralised, one Militant apprehended,” the Major General said.
The Indian army has recovered seven AK series weapons, nine pistols and revolvers and over 80 grenades and Indian and Pakistan currency in the Uri operation since 18. (ANI)