Naugam encounter: 4 terrorists, 3 soldiers killed as Army foils infiltration bid on LoC

SRINAGAR: Four militants and three soldiers were killed in a fierce encounter that lasted for over 36 hours as the Army on Sunday foiled an infiltration bid in Naugam sector of the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. The operation was initiated when two terrorists attempting to cross the LoC got gunned down by the security officials on Saturday. The incident comes days after Pakistani Army violated ceasefire and crossed the Line of Control and killed two Indian Army officials and mutilated their bodies. The Kashmir valley has witnessed a spurt in incidents of violence and militant attacks in the last couple of months. The governemnt has said Pakistan breached the truce along the Line of Control 449 times in 2016 as compared to 405 violations in 2015. 23 security personnel were killed in the two-year period. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by resorting to firing and shelling for for eight consecutive days from May 10 till May 18 on forward posts and civilian areas along the international border in Jammu and Rajouri districts and along the Line of Control in Rajouri from May 13-17. Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has asked the Army to remain prepared to give a befitting reply to any misadventure from across the border. Jaitley, who reviewed the security situation of Jammu and Kashmir at a high level meeting on May 17, also asked the forces to deal firmly with the inimical elements but ensure safety of the innocent people. (With PTI inputs)