Major infiltration bid foiled in Uri, 5 JeM terrorists killed; NC cries foul over 'Operation All Out'

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir's main opposition party National Conference (NC) on Monday expressed grave concerns over Army's ongoing Operation 'All Out' to flush out Pakistan-back terrorists as the security forces foiled a major infiltration bid in Uri.

''We are concerned with the Operation 'All out' which is going on especially in Srinagar, yesterday searches have happened after 17 years, '' Ali Mohd Sagar, National Conference MLA said.

''On one hand, we are giving amnesty, on the other we are doing this, how will the situation improve? Centre needs Govt needs a policy,'' he added.

We are concerned with the Operation 'All out' which is going on especially in Srinagar, yesterday searches have happened after 17 years. On one hand we are giving amnesty, then on other hand we are doing this, how will situation improve? Govt needs a policy: Ali Mohd Sagar,NC MLA pic.twitter.com/rqF6IRjIlU — ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2018

The reactions from the National Conference (NC) lawmaker came shortly five militants from Jaish-e-Mohammad's suicide squad were killed near the Line of Control (LoC) in a joint operation by Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army and paramilitary forces.

Defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said a group of terrorists was spotted infiltrating from Pakistan into India near Dulanja area of border town Uri - some 120 km from here.

The infiltrating militants opened fire at the forces, ensuing into a fierce gunbattle that left five terrorists dead, Col Kalia said.

Five bodies of the terrorists have been recovered from the encounter site, while a search is on to find the sixth one.

Security has also been beefed up in the state ahead of Republic Day Celebrations on January 26.

Director General of Police SP Vaid tweeted about the operation and said four "suicidal JeM terrorists were killed in Dulanja while infiltrating, in a joint operation by (Jammu and Kashmir) Police, army and (central armed police forces) CAPF".

"Keep up the good work," he lauded the forces.

Later, while addressing a press conference, Brigadier YS Ahlawat said, ''Major infiltration bid was foiled along LoC in Uri sector, a major mishap has been avoided on the Army Day.''

''This is the first infiltration bid of 2018. The army is committed to continue with this and stop the nefarious designs of Pakistan,'' Brigadier YS Ahlawat said. 

A large cache of arms and ammunition have also been recovered from the slain terrorists, he added.

Large cache of arms and ammunition have been recovered and 5 terrorists have been eliminated: Brigadier YS Ahlawat #Uri anti-infiltration operation #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/us7kyGzHpF — ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2018

J&K: Ammunition and other material seized by security forces from the 5 terrorists killed in Uri anti-infiltration operation pic.twitter.com/q9RFq0DeBm — ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2018

Police sources said all the slain terrorists were Pakistani nationals.  

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today congratulated the security forces for eliminating six Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in an anti-infiltration operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector.

"I congratulate our security forces," Singh told reporters.

Separately, the Army carried out "retaliatory action" against Pakistan, killing seven soldiers and injuring four others in forward areas along LoC in J&K's Poonch district.

Pakistan government, however, said that four, and not seven, soldiers were killed. 

(With Agency inputs)