Hundreds of militants waiting at launch pads at LoC: BSF

Speaking about the ongoing Machil gunfight, Additional Director General of BSF, Surinder Pawar said that 250 to 300 militants are still present at the launch pads across LoC waiting to infiltrate in the valley before snowfall begins.

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): Additional Director General of BSF Surinder Pawar on Monday said militant activities at the launching pads across the Line of Control (LoC) have not died down but the troops are ready to face the challenge.

"Given the snowfall prediction during November, there may be a surge in infiltration attempts. But our troops are alert to foil all bids. There are 250 to 300 are still present at the launch pads across LoC waiting to infiltrate before the snowfall," the ADG BSF said while talking to reporters at BSF Headquarters in Srinagar on the sidelines of the wreath-laying ceremony of slain BSF constable Sudeep Sarkar.

He further said, "this year only 25 to 30 militants have managed to infiltrate into our side compared to 140 in 2019."

Speaking about the ongoing Machil gunfight, he said, "After our patrolling party noticed the suspicious movement of militants on the intervening night of November 7 and 8, a team led by Constable Sudeep and Constable Abdul reached the spot and challenged the hiding militants.

During the exchange of fire, Constable Sudeep was badly injured and later succumbed to his injuries."

Sudeep was a resident of Tripura's Agartala area and is survived by two daughters and a wife.

"Next day, Indian Army joined the operation and two militants were killed. Also, the Army lost captain Ashutosh Kumar and two soldiers during the gunbattle. Machil was a big infiltration bid from across the border but was successfully foiled by our alert troops," he said, adding that the operation in the area is still underway as the Machil is "tough terrain with an uneven surface."

"Currently, sanitization and mopping operation is being conducted in the area to rule out the presence of any other militant."