Three army personnel and as many militants were among seven killed in a fierce gun battle that broke out today between security forces and militants who had sneaked into Arnia border sector along international border in Jammu district. One civilian was also killed and two others were injured in the fresh bloodletting that came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu region tomorrow for Assembly poll campaign.
Elsewhere, army troops foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district and arrested a suspected armed militant. "Three army personnel and as many militants have been killed in the attack in Arnia sector in Jammu," an Army source in New Delhi said. "As per initial reports from the area, a group of militants numbering between two to four infiltrated from Arnia belt of Jammu district and resorted to firing," a police officer told PTI, adding the security grid of Army, BSF and Police swung into action and launched a cordon and search for the militants this morning.
Army sources said the militants occupied a vacant bunker of Army's 92 infantry brigade in Pindi Khattar belt of Arnia border sector of Jammu district. A fierce encounter broke out between hiding militants and security forces in which three militants were reported to have been killed, they said. The encounter was on when the reports last came in from the area. A car has also been seized in the area which might have been used by the militants.
A senior District administration official told PTI that the deceased civilian has been identified as Sunil Sabarwal.
Meanwhile, a suspected militant was arrested after security forces foiled an infiltration bid this morning near the LoC in Rajouri district. Troops noticed some suspicious movement near LoC in Leharan Company Operating Base in Lam Battalion area of Rajouri district around 0630 hours today, a senior army officer said. The security personnel responded immediately and foiled an infiltration bid, he said.
During search operation, a suspected militant was apprehended and one AK-47 with 30 rounds, one Pakistan made pistol and Rs 8,100 Pakistan currency were seized from his possession. He was identified as Adul Qayoomi alias Punjabi, he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to campaign for BJP in second phase of Assembly elections in Udhampur and Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow. Modi will address a rally in Udhampur district, which is 100 km from Arnia. According to Kashmir BJP spokesman Farooq Khan, Modi will address rallies in Udhampur district and border district of Poonch at 12 PM and 2:30 PM tomorrow.
Security has been beefed up by BSF along the border and also in Jammu city, Udhampur and Poonch areas.
Army had yesterday said militants were out to disturb the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir but the forces were on alert to foil their designs.
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