JK: Three militants killed during infiltration bid

Three militants were killed when troops foiled an infiltration bid in the Gurez sector of the Line of Control (LoC) early Saturday morning.

A defence spokesman said troops spotted a group of infiltrators trying to sneak into this side in the Gurez sector of north Kashmir Bandipore district.

"The infiltrators were challenged which set off an intense gun battle which is continuing. So far three militants have been killed in the encounter," Lt. Col. J.S.Brar told rediff.com.

He said, "The operation is still in progress."

Infiltration bids on the LoC have seen an upward swing in recent days, prompting the Army to beef up the security along the Line of Control.

President Pratibha Patil visited the forward areas in the two border districts of Rajouri and Poonch and asked the security forces to "continue their fight till the last militant is eliminated and the state freed of the menace of militancy".

Asking the troops to 'remain vigilant', the President told them 'to maintain a high degree of preparedness to meet any eventuality'.

The president also met Rukhsana Kaunser, the 21-year-old girl, who along with her brother, gunned down a Lashkar Taiba (LeT) militant and wounded another.

The president praised the bravery and presented her an award.