Kashmir : 5 militants killed as army foils major infiltration bid in Machil sector along LoC

Five militants were gunned down by the army as they were trying to cross the line of control in Kashmir on Monday, a defence spokesperson said.

"Major infiltration bid foiled in Machil Sector. Five terrorists eliminated, five weapons recovered," an army spokesperson said, adding the gun fight was still on.

The Machil gun battle is the latest in a series of such exchanges with the government hardening its stand against militants after a recent spurt in violent street protests and attacks on security forces.

A Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba militant Umer



was killed in an overnight encounter in Pampore's Sambora, police said on Monday. He belonged to the Abu Ismail group of the Pakistan-based outfit.

"Role of Umer in different crimes committed by Abu Ismail group is being ascertained," a police spokesperson said, adding the militant was killed in a joint operation with the army and Central Reserve Police Force.

The gunfight came a day after police confirmed Lashkar's hand in an attack on a bus carrying Amarnath pilgrims. Eight people were killed when a group of militants fired on the bus on July 11.