Jammu/Srinagar, April 28, 2005 (Express News Service)

Troops foiled an infiltration bid killing four militants while they were trying to crossover to Indian side from the line of control (LoC) on Pioneer Hills in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district while 35 kgs of RDX,46 explosive devices and M-16 modern warfare rifles were among huge cache of arms and ammunition seized during separate search operations in Rajouri and Doda districts.

This is the second infiltration bid by ultras in the past one week after melting of snow along LoC.

Sources said at 5 am today the troops deployed on border saw a group of about six militants trying to sneak into this side. On seeing them coming towards fence, the troops of 1 JAK Rifles and 141 Battalion of BSF laid an ambush. As the militants came closer troops challenged them.

The fire-fight between the militants and troops continued till 7 pm. In the ensuing encounter that continued for 15-hours four infiltrators were killed while two others managed to flee back to Pakistani side.

The identity of the slain ultras is yet to be ascertained. Six AK rifles with 19 magazines, 180 rounds, a UBGL, two UBGL shells, and nine hand grenades were seized fom the encounter site. In another encounter troops of 166 Mountain Brigade killed a foreign militant owing allegiance to Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit in Kalakote area of Rajouri district.

Meanwhile, security forces today recovered a huge cache arms and explosives, including 35 kg of RDX, 46 explosive devices and two M-16 modern warfare rifles from Rajouri district. Senior security force officer said the M-16 rifles are used by US and Pak soldiers.

On specific information, Army troops assisted by police personnel raided a militant hideout in Ikki Chack area of Kandi forest in Rajouri district early today.

The militants escaped under the shadow of darkness and left behind huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosive materials, sources said. During the search, the troops recovered 30 kgs of RDX, 18 grenades, five improvised explosive devices (IEDs), eight anti personnel mines, a claymore mine, two AK rifles, a sniper rifle, a M16 Rifle, it’s six magazines, 10 AK magazines, 132 Pika rounds, two wireless sets, a RPG one PRC set and 13 RCG ammunition rounds, sources said.

When contacted Satvir Gupta DIG Doda-Udhampur Range said security forces following specific information conducted a search operation in Trisha area, 35 kms from Kishtwar and busted a militant hideout.