Srinagar:
In a major operation, the Army on Saturday foiled the biggest infiltration bid this year killing 12 intruders in a gunbattle near the Line of Control (LoC) in Gurez sector of Bandipora district in Kashmir valley.
"This morning at around 1.00 a.m, our alert troops deployed on the Line of Control near Baktoor village in Gurez Sector intercepted a group of terrorists trying to infiltrate from Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The group was intercepted when they were trying to cross the Kishanganga River in a Pneumatic boat," Defence spokesman Lt Colonel J S Brar said.
In the ensuing gun battle, 12 militants were killed while an Army officer was also killed and two other soldiers sustained injuries.
"This (use of boats) is certainly a new development. The terrorists were also carrying an inflatable dinghy. When confronted while crossing, a heavy exchange of gunfire ensued. Six terrorists were killed while they tried to come ashore and they fell into the river. Six more terrorists were killed near the shore in a fierce encounter," the spokesman said.
He said five AK rifles, one pistol, two boats, 50 assorted grenades, two radio sets, two compasses and one Global Positioning System besides a large quantity of war-like stores were recovered.
"In this operation, we lost a gallant officer, Lt Navdeep Singh, besides two of our jawans suffered injuries," the spokesman said.
Navdeep Singh, 26, was commissioned in March this year in the Army Ordnance Corps and was serving in 15th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry.
"This is the eight infiltration attempt this month and the biggest so far this year," he said.