Army shoots dead 16 militants who infiltrated into Jammu & Kashmir

The army today said it has shot dead 16 Pakistani militants who had infiltrated into Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir from across the line of control.

The entire group of 16 militants, which had infiltrated into Rajouri district, has been eliminated in four different encounters since March 23 till yesterday, Major General MMS Rai, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Uniform Force told reporters at Reasi, 79km from Jammu.

Operation Khoj has culminated in their elimination, he said.

"We also lost six jawans during these operations, which were spread in an area of 50km in the district," he said adding that about 1,000 personnel from various formations, para-military troops and state police were engaged in these operations.

He said the militants who infiltrated had split into smaller groups and that is why the encounters took place at different areas.

A huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including 14 AK rifles, two UBGLs, five satellite phones and five map sheets, were recovered from the slain terrorists, Gen Rai said.