Infiltration Bid By BAT Foiled, Army on Killing of Militant in Keran Sector

Kupwara, Jan 2: Army on Sunday said to have foiled an infiltration bid it said was made by BAT (Border Action Team) in Keran sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on January 1, 2022.

“In a complete breach of the ongoing ceasefire understanding between the two armies across the line of control, an infiltration or BAT action was attempted in the Keran Sector of Kupwara district on January 1 (2022). Swift action by the troops deployed at the Line of Control foiled the bid and eliminated the militant, later identified as Mohd Shabbir Malik, a Pakistani national, equipped with weapons, ammunition and warlike stores. The incident site is located on the Pakistani side of the Anti Infiltration Obstacle System, kept under surveillance by the Indian Army to effectively counter any nefarious activity by the infiltrators or Pakistan Army”, reads a press statement of Indian army.

“In complete breach of the ceasefire understanding arrived at between the DGMO’s, one armed intruder dressed in Pathani suit and black jacket was detected moving from areas under the control of Pakistan Army across the Line of Control at around 1500 hours on 01 Jan 22. Ambushes were laid along likely routes that could be adopted by the intruder and movement was followed till 1600 hours. The ambush was sprung at the opportune moment and the infiltrator killed. The body of the slain infiltrator was recovered along with one AK 47 and large quantity of ammunition including seven grenades”, reads the statement, adding “the surveillance of the area is in progress, denying any exploitation of the bad weather condition prevailing in the area and the operation is ongoing.”

“The route adopted by the militant was similar to the one adopted on April 4, 2020 during Op Rangadori Bhaikh in which five militants were eliminated”, reads the statement.

“A search of the belongings revealed Pakistani National identity card and vaccination certificates (issued by Ministry of National Health Services Regulation & Coordination Government of Pakistan) identifying him as Mohd Shabir Malik. The belongings also include a photo of the infiltrator in Army Uniform wearing name tab of Shabbir”, reads the statement. “This clearly establishes that Pakistan continues to sponsor cross border militancy”, it reads.

“A hotline communication has been made to Pakistan Army asking them to take back the body of the killed individual”, the statement concludes.