Major infiltration bid foiled; 5 militants, 3 soldiers killed in Keran sector

Srinagar: Five heavily-armed militants and three soldiers were killed in an encounter which ensued after alert troops foiled a major infiltration bid from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Keran sector in the frontier district of Kupwara in north Kashmir on Sunday.

A defence ministry spokesperson told UNI that troops guarding the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side from PoK in Keran sector.

However, when challenged and asked to surrender, the militants opened indiscriminate firing with automatic weapons, he said, adding that troops also retaliated ensuing in an encounter in the forest area near LoC.

He said five militants were killed in the encounter, adding three soldiers were also martyred in the exchange of fire. “Despite prevailing inclement weather conditions, casualties have been evacuated,” he added.

Meanwhile, a massive operation was going on when the reports last came in. (UNI)