BAT action foiled, Pakistani terrorist killed on LoC in Jammu and Kashmir

BAT Action by Pakistan Army Foiled, Pakistani Terrorist Killed on LoC – Indian Army

An attempt by the Pakistani military’s Border Action Team (BAT) to push a terrorist into India was foiled after he was gunned down in the Keran sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district around 3pm on January 1, the Army said on Sunday. Slain terrorist Mohammed Shabbir Malik was carrying an AK-47, seven grenades, ammunition, ration suited for a long haul in cold weather, certificates and a photo that showed him in army uniform with the name tab.

SRINAGAR: An attempt by the Pakistani military’s Border Action Team (BAT) to push a terrorist into India was foiled after he was gunned down in the Keran sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district around 3pm on January 1, the Army said on Sunday. Slain terrorist Mohammed Shabbir Malik was carrying an AK-47, seven grenades, ammunition, ration suited for a long haul in cold weather, certificates and a photo that showed him in army uniform with the name tab.

“This was a BAT action,” an Army officer said, underscoring that it was clearly a “complete breach of the ceasefire understanding” between the two nations. The Pakistan Army has been contacted and asked to take the body.

BAT comprises military regulars and mercenaries from terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). They carry out surprise attacks on Indian positions along the LoC.

On New Year’s Day, Army stakeout along the LoC spotted the terrorist in a Pathani suit and black jacket. Armed with an AK-47 assault rifle, he was trying to break into India through the anti-infiltration obstacle system across the border. Ambushes were laid along routes the intruder was likely to take and he eventually fell into one. The route he took was similar to the one taken by infiltrators “on April 4, 2020, during Operation Rangadori Bhaikh in which five terrorists were eliminated,” the Army said in a statement.

The Army could make out that it was a BAT operation as a “search of the belongings revealed Pakistani identity card and vaccination certificates (issued by ministry of national health services regulation and coordination of Pakistan) that identified him as Mohammed Shabir Malik. The belongings also include a photo of the infiltrator in army uniform wearing the name tab of Shabbir.” This “establishes that Pakistan continues to sponsor cross-border militancy”, the Army said.

In another anti-terrorism operation, J&K Police said a terrorist was killed by security forces along the LoC in the Jumagund area of Kupwara district on Saturday. His identity is not yet known.


Source: ToI

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