A militant killed in the Uri sector of Baramulla on Wednesday had been engaged in militancy for the past three decades and helped many rebels infiltrate into the Valley from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the army has said.

At least two suspected militants were killed in a joint operation by the army and
the police on Wednesday as they foiled an infiltration bid in Uri.

Colonel Raghav, commanding officer of the 8 Rashtriya Rifles, told a news conference in Baramulla on Thursday that the militants had suffered many casualties, with the bodies of two rebels recovered so far.

He identified the two as Bashir Ahmad Malik and Ahmad Gani Sheikh.

“The most salient feature of the operation is the neutralisation of Bashir Ahmad Malik,” Raghav told reporters.

Raghav added: “Malik is (was) an important cog in the cross-border terror mechanism which is operating in Jammu and Kashmir, also supported by our adversary. He is (was) a very big launch commander in PoJK (Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir).”

Raghav said Malik had been involved in militancy during the past three decades and had helped militants infiltrate into India over a large area from the Lepa Valley near the LoC in Kashmir to the area opposite Rajouri district in Jammu.

“In these three decades he has facilitated a lot of infiltration attempts across the LoC, which has sadly resulted in (the) loss of a lot of lives of Indian citizens, including our soldiers,” he said.

“The neutralisation… is a severe blow to the terror infrastructure across (the) LoC as well as sympathisers and supporters of terrorism.”

Raghav said the joint operation had been launched following intelligence from multiple agencies.

“The counter-insurgency grid was strengthened in the area following the intelligence. Joint operation parties were deployed at multiple places,” he said.

“In the early hours of November 15, suspicious movement of terrorists was spotted across the LoC and their movement was continuously tracked.

“There was an exchange of fire. After a detailed search after the fire exchange, there were many terrorist casualties. The exact number cannot be confirmed because of the close proximity to the Line of Control.”