Four SF personnel martyred, three terrorists killed in Machil

LG pays tribute to martyrs

STATE TIMES NEWS

Srinagar: Four security forces personnel, including an Army officer were martyred and three militants were killed during a failed infiltration bid by the ultras along the Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector of the Valley on Sunday, officials said.
The terrorists made an abortive bid during the night to infiltrate into the Indian side of the LoC in Machil sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, they added.
The infiltrators were challenged and three of them were killed, the officials said.
However, three Army soldiers, including an officer, and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan were also martyred during the operation, they added.
Meanwhile, Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said at about 1 am, a BSF patrol noticed suspicious movement near the Anti-Infiltration Obstacle System (LoC fence), about 3.5 km from the LoC.
The BSF personnel challenged the infiltrators and a gunbattle ensued, in which a terrorist was killed, he said.
“A BSF soldier was martyred in action (KIA) and the firefight stopped at 0400 hours,” Col Kalia said in a statement.
He said more troops were rushed to the area and the movement of the terrorists was tracked with the help of surveillance devices.
“Contact was re-established at 1020 hours when heavy fire was drawn by own search parties approximately 1.5 km from the LoC. In the ensuing firefight, two more terrorists were killed. Own troops suffered three KIA and two injured,” Col Kalia said.
He added that the injured soldiers have been evacuated.
The operation is in progress and further details are awaited, the spokesperson said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has paid tributes to the four security forces personnel, who lost their lives in the encounter.
“The LG saluted the supreme sacrifice of the jawans and lauded the courage and valour displayed by them while protecting the integrity and sovereignty of the country,” an official spokesperson said. Sinha said the nation would always remain indebted to the bravehearts, who laid down their lives for providing a safe and secure environment to its people.
The LG conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the slain security personnel and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls, the spokesperson said.