Pakistani BAT action foiled in Keran sector, infiltrator killed: Indian Army

Inputs about possible infiltration bids continue to pour in, soldiers alert to thwart all bids; Communication made to Pak army to take back body of slain militant: Major General Abhijit Pendharkar

@JournalistAadil

Srinagar: The Indian Army Sunday said that a Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) attempt was foiled yesterday at Keran sector wherein an “intruder” who was trying to sneak into this side was killed.

Disclosing this to newspersons here on Monday at northern district of Kupwara, General officer Commanding of 28 Division Major General Abhijit Pendharkar said that yesterday at 3 pm, a “complete breach of ceasefire agreement” was noticed when an infiltrator wearing a “Pathan suit” and a black jacket was trying to enter into this side.

“He was challenged and subsequently killed. This was a Pakistani BAT action. In swift action, the infiltrator was killed,” the army officer said.

He said the slain has been identified as Muhammad Shabir Malik, a Pakistani national. “An AK-47 rifle and seven magazines were recovered from him,” Major General Abhijit said. He said that vaccination certificates and an identity card were also recovered from the slain militant. “A document showing the slain militant in army uniform was also found in the pocket of the slain,” the army officer said.

He said that the infiltration route chosen by the slain was the same as the one used by five armed militants last year in April, who were killed in the Keran sector. He said that a communication has been made to the Pakistani army on hot-line to take back the body of the infiltrator. The army officer said that there are continuous inputs about possible infiltration bids by militants in Keran and Kupwara sectors ahead of the snowfall in the areas but army was alert and maintaining vigil to thwart all such plans.