Srinagar: An infiltrator, believed to be a foreigner, was killed and another was wounded, who later escaped back into Pak
istan-administered-Kashmir (PaK), in a fierce encounter near Line of Control (LoC) in Tangdhar sector in Jammu and Kashmir.
A soldier also laid down his life, Defence ministry spokesman Lt Colonel J S Brar said.
He said troops guarding the LoC noticed a group of militants sneaking into this side last evening. When challenged and asked to surrender near a particular place on this side of the LoC, the infiltrators opened fire with automatic weapons.
Troops also returned the fire and in the fierce encounter, which continued for some time, a militant was killed and another wounded.
The injured militant later escaped back into PaK, Lt Col Brar said, adding one soldier also lost his life.
The deceased infiltrator was being identified, he said.
More than 600 trained militants are waiting across the border in launching pads, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into this side before the infiltration routes are closed due to snowfall, he said.
Senior Army officers said troops guarding the LoC are on maximum alert to thwart any infiltration attempt from across the border.
Search operation by security forces in the woods at Chatergul, Ganderbal continued for the fifth day today, Lt Colonel Brar said.
He said no contact was established with the militants since September 2 evening.
He said more troops have already joined the operation from different directions as there are still some militants hiding in the forest.
The operation was started early morning on September 1 by 24 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police following a tip-off about the presence of militants.
On the first day, a militant was killed by 24 RR and SOG and on the second day, 13 RR gunned down another in the encounter in the woods, he said.
He said the troops did not suffer any damage.
The operation was going on when reports last came in, Lt Col Brar said.
