The Army foiled a major infiltration bid in Kazinag mountain range today, killing nine militants in a gunbattle that lasted around three days.The attack came a day after the Hurriyat accepted the Centre’s invite for talks.The militants tried to cross over where the Line of Control cuts through the ridges of the snow-capped mountain. The infiltrators positioned themselves behind boulders after they were detected by a patrol. ‘‘We spotted a group of militants sneaking inside our territory on Tuesday morning. We allowed them (the militants) to cross the LoC,’’ GOC, Dagger Division (19 Infantry Division), Herwant Krishan said.‘‘We had immediately laid ambushes at vintage points in the area. The militants were trapped as we had encircled them. We did give them a chance to surrender but they opened fire. Nine of the infiltrators were killed in the encounter that ended late last night,’’ he added. ‘‘The group comprised hardcore militants. They were carrying equipment to cut or scale the barbed wire fence,’’ he said. ‘‘But our troops detected the militants in time and killed them all.’’Today’s infiltration bid is the fourth since June 12, when the Army killed 12 militants along the LoC in Gurez sector.
