An army officer and three security personnel including a Border Security Force (BSF) constable were killed during and anti-terror operation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector of Jammu & Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

The militants made an abortive bid during the night to infiltrate into the Indian side of the LoC in Machil sector in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

According to the infiltrators were challenged and three of them were killed However, three Army soldiers, including an officer, and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan were also killed during the operation, said the officials.

Meanwhile, Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said at about 1 am, a BSF patrol noticed suspicious movement near the Anti-Infiltration Obstacle System (LoC fence), about 3.5 km from the LoC.

“The BSF personnel challenged the infiltrators and a battle ensued, in which a militant was killed,” he said.

“A BSF soldier was killed in action (KIA) and the firefight stopped at 0400 hours,” Col Kalia said in a statement.

According to him more troops were rushed to the area and the movement of the militants was tracked with the help of surveillance devices.

“Contact was re-established at 1020 hours when heavy fire was drawn by own search parties approximately 1.5 km from the LoC. In the ensuing firefight, two more terrorists were killed. Own troops suffered three KIA and two injured,” added Col Kalia.

He informed that the injured soldiers have been evacuated and that the operation is in progress and further details are awaited.