Srinagar- In a major blow to terror infrastructure and terror sympathisers in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, security forces have eliminated key launch commander Bashir Ahmad Malik in an anti-infiltration operation in the Uri sector, the army said on Thursday.
Malik and another terrorist were killed Wednesday in a joint operation, codenamed Op Kali, by the army and Jammu and Kashmir Police along the Line of Control.
“The salient aspect of this operation is the neutralization of Bashir Ahmed Malik, one of the two terrorists killed. He was an important cog in the Pakistan-enabled crossborder terrorism Jammu and Kashmir. He was an important terrorist launch commander for terror tanzeems (organisations) from Leepa in the North to the areas in PoJ&K, opposite Rajouri in the South,” an army official said.
The official said Malik, who was active for the past 30 years, had enabled infiltration of a number of terrorists who caused the death of many Indian citizens, both security forces personnel as well as civilians.
“His neutralisation is a major blow dealt by us to the terror infrastructure across the line of control and its sympathisers and supporters,” the official said.
Repeated infiltration attempts through the same area in the Uri sector of Baramulla district was a display of desperation by the adversary to push more terrorists into the Kashmir valley to spoil the prevailing peace and tranquility, he said.
“We have a robust line of control security grid and we are on a high vigil. The Indian Army is well prepared to defeat any such infiltrations attempts and we will not let the enemy succeed with his devious designs,” he added.
The joint operation was launched in the early hours of 15 November on specific intelligence from “own sources and SB, Srinagar, with respect to the likelihood of infiltration of terrorists across Line of Control in Uri sector”, the officials said.
It was the second infiltration bid in the area with the last few days. The first bid was also thwarted.
“Based on the intelligence own counter intelligence and surveillance grids in this area was strengthened and own ambush were deployed,” the official said.
He said the weather during the operation was inclement and the area of this operation was treacherous in terms of terrain.
“This operation has resulted in neutralisation of two terrorists, whose mortal remains have been recovered. However, there may be more terrorist casualties who could be on the other side of the Line of Control. We did not cross the Line of Control.
“The other recoveries included war-like stores encompassing two AK series rifles, two pistols, four Chinese hand grenades, ammunition along with medicines, eatables, Rupees 2630 in Pakistan currency and Pakistan National identity Card,” the official added.
Encounter Underway In Kulgam
Meanwhile police said here that an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Thursday.
The security forces had launched a cordon-and-search operation in Nehama village of Kulgam following information about the presence of terrorists in the area, the officials said.
The search operation turned into a gunbattle as the ultras opened fire towards the security personnel, they added.
No report of any casualty has so far been received, the officials said, adding that further details are awaited.
Blast Near Bus Stand In Poonch
An explosion occurred close to the Surankote bus stand Poonch district on Wednesday night, sources said.
However, there was no official confirmation of the blast.
There were also no reports of any loss of life or injury. The cause of the explosion was not immediately known.
Police have called a forensic team to the spot and beefed up security in the area, the sources said.
“We heard the blast and rushed out. Security forces immediately came to the spot,” local resident Sanjay Kumar told reporters.
The blast created a crater on the ground.
The explosion occurred near the bus stand close to a temple, the sources said.
Army Defuses 45 Unexploded Ordnance
A report from Jammu said the army on Thursday defused 45 unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the Kargil district of the union territory of Ladakh, officials said.
Unexploded ordnance are explosive ammunition including bombs, bullets, shells, grenades, mines etc that did not explode when they were employed, and now pose a risk of detonation.
To ensure the safety of movement for all, Dhruva Sappers’ bomb disposal team successfully neutralised 45 UXOs in the Kurbathang area of Kargil, working together with the Civil Administration and police to secure areas around Pashkun, they said.
The Indian Army remains dedicated to safeguarding citizens, they added.
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