An 18-year-old Pakistani infiltrator was captured alive while the body of another recovered as the Indian Army’s 10-day operation in J&K’s Uri concluded on Tuesday.
The army operation to eliminate the infiltration bid in Uri and neighbouring Line of Control (LoC) areas started on September 18-19, which led to mobile, internet and telephone connectivity being snapped.
On Sunday, army sources had told CNN-News18 that two infiltrators had likely been killed but bodies had not yet been recovered. Four soldiers were wounded in the incident.
The army, in a statement describing the operation, said: “Taking advantage of dark night, uneven ground, bad weather and thick undergrowth, Pakistan harboured terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba attempted to infiltrate six terrorists from the general area of Pakistani post Jabri. During the infiltration attempt, while two terrorists were crossing the LC, own patrolling party established contact with them. Taking advantage of the thick undergrowth, four terrorists ran back towards the POK side of LC while remaining two terrorists managed to enter into own area.”
It identified the deceased as Atiq ur Rehman aka Qari Anas, 33, belonging to district Attock in Punjab (Pakistan).
“The route taken by the terrorists to infiltrate was from Sawai Nala Terrorist Camp to Hallan Shumali Launch pad to Jabri, leading into Salamabad Nala. It is pertinent to mention here that, it was along Salamabad Nala through which terrorists infiltrated in 2016 with the help of Pakistan Army and carried out suicide attack on Uri Garrison,” the army said.
Talking about the 18-year-old captured terrorist, the force said: “The surrendered terrorist belongs to Dipalpur in Dist Okara. He was misguided and lured into joining LeT due to poverty, having lost his father early. His family in Dipalpur consists of his widowed mother and an adopted sister. The family belongs to lower class barely managing to make both ends meet.
“To escape poverty, the individual left schooling from Govt School after class seven. He underwent three weeks of preliminary training at the Garhi Habibullah Camp (KPK) in 2019 followed by refresher training in 2021. Most of the instructors being employed for physical and weapons training were Pakistan Army personnel. As per the surrendered terrorist, Atiq ur Rehman @ Qari Anas r/o Vill – Pindi, Distt- Attock, Punjab (Pakistan) had given him Rs 20,000/- for his mother’s treatment and had promised to give him additional Rs 30,000/- on safe return from Pattan near Baramulla, where the group was to deliver the war like stores. However, it is evident that it had more nefarious designs which even the surrendered terrorist is unaware of.”
This is apparently among a few of the infiltration attempts that has taken place in the Kashmir valley. A few attempts were reportedly made recently in the Pir Panjal area of Rajouri too where army and militants had a few exchanges.
Speaking on the sidelines at a function, Lt Gen DP Pandey, who heads the Valley-based 15 Corps, said though there was no ceasefire violation this year, a few infiltration attempts have been made from across. “There is an infiltration attempt which has been made. We are looking for them. Whether they are on this side or gone back after making attempt, that issue has not been clarified or verified on the ground. But we are quite alert and we will ensure minimal infiltration takes place,” he said.
Asked if the fresh attempts at entering Indian territory had anything to do with the situation in Afghanistan, Lt Gen Pandey said: “The army is alert and we anticipated a change in attitude of Pakistan this month (September), and are expecting infiltration ahead of the onset of winter. I would not like to connect this to geopolitics. All I will say is we will foil such bids.”
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