SRINAGAR: The army said on Thursday that security forces had killed key launch commander Bashir Ahmad Malik in an anti-infiltration operation in the Uri sector, dealing a serious blow to the terror infrastructure and sympathisers in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Wednesday’s joint army and Jammu and Kashmir Police operation along the Line of Control, codenamed Op Kali, resulted in the deaths of Malik and another terrorist. “The most noteworthy part of this operation was killing one of the two terrorists, Bashir Ahmed Malik, and neutralising him. He played a significant role in Jammu and Kashmir’s cross-border terrorism, which was supported by Pakistan. According to an army official, “He was a key terrorist launch commander for terror tanzeems (organisations) from Leepa in the north to the regions in PoJ&K, across from Rajouri in the south.” According to the official, Malik, who has been active for the past 30 years, allowed several terrorists to infiltrate and kill a large number of Indian citizens, including members of the security services and civilians. “His neutralisation is a major blow dealt by us to the terror infrastructure across the line of control and its sympathisers and supporters,” said the official. He claimed that the enemy’s repeated attempts at infiltration through the same area in the Uri sector of the Baramulla district were an act of desperation to force more terrorists into the Kashmir valley and destroy the current calm. “We are on a high alert and have a strong line of control security grid. He continued, “The Indian Army is ready to foil any attempt at infiltration of this kind, and we won’t allow the enemy to succeed with his cunning plans. According to the officials, specific intelligence from “own sources and SB, Srinagar, with respect to the likelihood of infiltration of terrorists across Line of Control in Uri sector” led to the joint operation’s early November 15th start. It was the area’s second attempt at infiltration in the previous few days. And the first bid was foiled. “Based on the intelligence own counter intelligence and surveillance grids in this area was strengthened and own ambush were deployed,” said the official. He claimed that the operation was conducted in hazardous terrain and under unfavourable weather conditions. “Two terrorists were neutralised as a result of this operation, and their bodies have been found. On the other hand, there might be more terrorist deaths from the other side of the Line of Control. The Line of Control was not crossed by us.“The other recoveries included war-like stores encompassing two AK series rifles, two pistols, four Chinese hand grenades, ammunition along with medicines, eatables, Rupees 2630 in Pakistan currency and Pakistan National identity Card,” said the official.
