Kupwara (Rajeev Sharma): Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir successfully prevented an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district late Monday night, killing two armed militants in a brief but intense encounter, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
According to sources, the operation took place in the Machhal sector, a rugged terrain often targeted by infiltrators attempting to cross from Pakistan-occupied territory. The Army said the operation was initiated after receiving credible intelligence inputs from the Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding suspicious movements near the LoC.
“Acting on specific information, Army troops and J&K Police launched a joint operation in Machhal sector on October 13. During the surveillance, troops detected movement of two individuals attempting to cross the LoC. When challenged, the infiltrators opened fire, prompting immediate retaliation,” the Army’s Chinar Corps said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Both infiltrators were neutralized on the spot, officials said, adding that a large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and other warlike stores were recovered from the encounter site. “The recovery indicates the terrorists were well-equipped and possibly part of a larger group attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory,” a senior Army officer said.
The bodies of the slain militants have been retrieved and identification efforts are underway. Preliminary assessments suggest that the duo belonged to a Pakistan-based terror outfit, though officials are awaiting confirmation through intelligence verification.
The exchange of fire reportedly lasted for several minutes, after which the area was cordoned off for an extensive search operation to rule out the presence of additional infiltrators. The operation continued through the night and was concluded by early Tuesday morning.
Security forces believe this infiltration attempt was part of a recurring pattern as winter approaches and snow is expected to cut off several high-altitude infiltration routes. “Terror outfits often try to push infiltrators across before the passes close. Our troops remain on high alert along the LoC to counter any such attempt,” the Army official added.
Kupwara district, which shares a volatile boundary with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has been one of the most active infiltration corridors in recent years. Monday’s encounter marks yet another success in the ongoing counter-infiltration operations being carried out jointly by the Army and local police forces across the region.
Authorities have praised the vigilance of the security forces, emphasizing that the proactive response prevented a potential terror strike inside Indian territory. Further investigation and area sanitization efforts are underway.
