M A I N   N E W S

Militants hiding in huts near LoC
Ajay Banerjee & Majid Jahangir/TNS

New Delhi/Srinagar, Oct 3
The biggest counter-infiltration operation in recent times entered its 10th day on Thursday as a large number of militants remain holed up between the Line of Control and the fencing, also called the Anti-Insurgency Obstacle System, in Kupwara’s Keran sector.

The Army claimed the operation to flush out the infiltrators aided by Pakistani special troops was on as intermittent firing continued in the area.

Around 40 militants were spotted by troops of 3/3 Gorkha Rifles just short of the fencing after they had crossed over the LoC on September 24.

The militants are holed up in four dilapidated huts of a village vacated in 1971. The village is located between the fencing and the LoC north-west of Kupwara. The fencing is 1,200 metres inside the LoC.

India does not have habitation in the 10 km-deep buffer zone inside its territory and 268th Infantry Brigade headquartered at Pharkian Gali has been tasked with the operation.

The fact that the militants have sustained for 10 days at an altitude of around 10,000 feet indicates they are well-equipped and well-stocked with dry rations.

Sources said the militants were getting a continuous supply of rations from the PoK and were believed to be getting logistical support from there as well.

“It is possible that they are in touch with their base across the LoC and are getting supplies of dry rations and even charged batteries for their radio sets,” an Army source said in Delhi.

The Army has mulled two options to flush out the militants - one, to go for a frontal infantry assault; and second, to lie in wait and use small arms to attack the militants.

The first option has been ruled out as the line-of-sight visibility due to dense forest is less than 10 metres and a frontal assault will lead to avoidable casualties on the Army’s side, say sources.

The Army is using the second option by cordoning off the militants, who have been firing at sporadic intervals.

“The operation in the Keran sector is on. Intermittent firing is going on in the area,” said Naresh Vig, spokesperson for 15 Corps. There was no need to rush in additional troops as it might give militants fresh targets, the sources said.

Getting help from PoK?

The fact that the militants have sustained for 10 days at an altitude of around 10,000 feet indicates they are getting a continuous supply of rations and logistical support from the PoK, say Army sources. The militants are holed up in four dilapidated huts of a village located between the fencing and the LoC north-west of Kupwara

"It is possible that they are in touch with their base across the LoC and getting supplies of dry rations and even charged batteries for their radio sets. " — An Army source