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SRINAGAR: Soldiers shot dead two infiltrators attempting to cross the LoC in Keran sector of J&K’s Kupwara, about 140km north of Srinagar, the Army said Saturday. The gunfight, part of “Op Pimple”, followed specific intelligence on an infiltration attempt Friday evening. Troops detected “suspicious activity”, challenged the group and came under “indiscriminate fire”, the Army said. Two infiltrators were killed, while the operation continued through Saturday.The push across the frontier comes as infiltration attempts typically spike before the harsh Himalayan winter, when sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow shut mountain routes and make movement across the border nearly impossible.Parallel to the Keran fighting, J&K Police launched coordinated search and cordon operations across multiple districts to dismantle support networks tied to terrorist handlers in Pakistan and PoK.In north Kashmir’s Sopore area, police initiated what they described as a “massive crackdown” on “overground workers” and associates of cross-border handlers. “A large number of suspected OGWs and sympathisers have been picked up for questioning from different areas of Sopore,” police said. Investigators are examining suspected links, financial routes and communication channels with handlers across the border. The monitoring drive will continue in coming days.Police carried out operations in Khansahib, Beerwah and Budgam zones after receiving intelligence on groups involved in facilitating and funding terrorist activity “at the behest of their relatives based across the border”.South Kashmir’s Kulgam district saw similar actions targeting people accused of aiding Kashmiris operating from Pakistan or PoK. Several relatives and associates of those operatives were detained under legal provisions for what police described as continued involvement in anti-national activity.In central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, police searched 60 locations. “Several relatives and close associates of active JKNOP operatives were interrogated for their involvement in unlawful activities, including logistical support, recruitment facilitation, and circulation of anti-national propaganda,” police said.
