Srinagar, July 27 (UNI) A soldier and a Pakistani intruder were killed, while another soldier was injured in an encounter close to Line of Control in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir in the wee hours of Saturday, defence officials said.

The attack took place a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at Kargil, issued a stern warning to Pakistan and said their “nefarious designs will never succeed” and Indian soldiers will crush terrorism with full force and the enemy will be given a befitting reply.
While sources termed it a Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) attack, the Srinagar based defence spokesman said two to three armed personnel crossed the LoC and fired on a forward post in Machil sector from close proximity.
Srinagar based defence spokesman, Lt Col M K Sahu said a group of two to three armed personnel crossed the LoC and fired on a forward Army post from close proximity taking advantage of bad weather and poor visibility.

“Alert troops responded vigorously and in the ensuing exchange of fire one Pakistani intruder has been killed alongwith recovery of weapons, ammunition and war like stores. Identification and affiliation of this Pakistani National is being ascertained,” the spokesman said.

“During this intense exchange of fire, two of our brave soldiers also suffered some grave injuries and were immediately evacuated to the Base Hospital at Srinagar. Unfortunately, one of the bravehearts has succumbed to his injuries. The other soldier is responding well to the treatment and care and is presently stable,” Lt Col Sahu said.

The slain soldier was identified as Rifleman Mohit Rathour.
Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army saluted the supreme sacrifice of Rifleman Mohit.
"Indian Army offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief," a Army statement said.
The Srinagar based spokesman said in the past too, similar attempts by infiltrators, actively aided and abetted by the Pakistani Army have exploited thick foliage and poor visibility conditions but have always, as today, been successfully thwarted and disrupted.

“Indian Army is firm in its resolve and commitment to maintain the sanctity of the Line of Control and defeat the nefarious and inimical designs of the Pakistan Army,” he added.
Sources, however, said that five soldiers including an officer were wounded in the wee hours attack .

This is the fourth encounter in frontier Kupwara district in the last fortnight.

In the earlier three encounters, six militants suspected to be foreigners and a soldier were killed.

Two days ago, Army Chief Gen Dwivedi visited forward areas in Kupwara and reviewed the security situation along the LoC.
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