Terrorists neutralised by Indian Army near LoC in Kupwara were foreigners 

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Indian Army on Friday (Jul 19) stated that two terrorists killed recently in the Keran sector of north Kashmir’s nKupwara district, along the Line of Control (LoC), were foreigners.  

The terrorists were neutralised on Thursday (Jul 18) around noon when the troops observed them through thick foilage on the Indian side of LoC.  

“On 17 July, a credible input was received from JKP, further corroborated by intelligence agencies, regarding a group of foreign terrorists likely to infiltrate through Keran Sector,” an army spokesman said. 

After spotting the rogue elements, open firs ensued between the two sides, leading to an intense fight. Two terrorists were killed as the army recovered weapons and a Pakistani identity card from them. 

“This was the third such successful anti infiltration operation on the Line of Control over the last few weeks and underscores the Indian Army’s unwavering commitment to maintain the sanctity of the Line of Control and the robust counter-infiltration posture towards maintaining peace in Kashmir Valley.”

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Over 70 to 80 foreign terrorists

According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, there are around 70 to 80 active foreign terrorists in the union territory and a fresh batch of 25-20 terrorists have recently infiltrated the region. 

Up until a few years ago, terrorists targeted Kashmir Valley and made it the epicentre of their terror operations. However, they had seemingly changed their strategy now by making Jammu as the hub of their activities. 

Around 51 security personnel have lost their lives in the Union territory since June 2021. The terrorists are continuously targeting security forces in Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Reasi, Doda, and Udhampur districts. 

On Thursday, a live grenade was found on the rooftop of a government building in the Poonch district. A bomb disposal squad was called after the bomb’s discovery triggered panic and fear among residents of the government quarters. 

“My kids kept telling me that something was on the terrace and when I went to check, I saw that an object was lying in the corner. My younger son said that he found the object suspicious,” a resident of Gulfam told news agency PTI.

The security agencies suspect that the grenade was thrown by a terrorist which fortunately did not explode. The bomb disposal experts defused the grenade while ab investigation has been launched into the matter.  

(With inputs from agencies)