3 infiltrators killed in Uri had undergone formal military training: Indian Army

Col P L Raghavendra, whose unit 8 Rashtriya Rifles carried out the counter-infiltration operation at Kamalkote in Uri, said a search operation was still on.

Earlier in the day, the army said that 100-120 militants opposite the area manned by the Baramulla-based 19th Infantry Division were trying to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan.

Three armed infiltrators suspected to be Pakistanis were killed on Thursday close to the Line of Control in Baramulla while trying to sneak into the Kashmir Valley through the Uri sector.

Addressing a press conference, the General officer Commanding of the 19th Infantry Division, Major General Ajay Chandpuri, said the presence of militants on launch pads and their continuous attempts to infiltrate was on despite a ceasefire along the LoC.

"Based on multiple inputs, it is our assessment that any point in time, opposite this sector alone, we have close to 100-120 terrorists attempting to infiltrate... So, while the ceasefire understanding is largely holding good for the benefit of the people on the both sides, the presence of terrorists ... and their continuous attempt to infiltrate is on," he said in Baramulla.

The 19th Infantry Division guards over 100 kmsof LoC from Gulmarg and Uri in Baramulla to Nowgam in Handwara.

The Major General, however, said infiltration has come down significantly.

"The LoC is over 740 km (in J&K) which includes very difficult terrain and spells of inclement weather. So, despite the vigilance, there are gaps from where they try and infiltrate terrorists and war-like stores. Now, with each passing day, the level of technology, the level of alertness is only improving, so the infiltration has come down significantly, which is also indicated by the peace on the hinterland,” the officer said.

“So, we feel they are getting more and more desperate to push these people from any way possible."