NDTV exclusive: First images of terrorists killed at LoC in Keran

Keran, Jammu and Kashmir: As the Army conducts its final mopping-up operations in Jammu and Kashmir's Keran sector, NDTV has accessed exclusive pictures of terrorists killed in what has been one of the longest anti-infiltration operations in the state. (See pics)

The dramatic images show seven terrorists who were killed in the last four days while trying to sneak into Indian territory right at the Line of Control (LoC).

But these men were killed in foiled infiltration attempts in Keran, at least 25 kilometres away from the sector's Shala-Batu area where the Army has been engaged in a larger ongoing encounter - it is in its 14th day - with a group of nearly 30-40 terrorists who were trying cross over from Pakistan. Sources in the Army say that the seven killed could be part of the larger group.

While one was shot just as he was trying to cross through the barbed wire fencing at the LoC,

the other, in the fresh images, is seen lying dead on the other side of the fence. Yet another image suggests that one of the terrorists was either shot while falling into a ravine or was killed by security forces and his body tumbled down.

Bodies of dead terrorists may also have been dragged back or buried in crevices or the thick jungle, army sources said.

Earlier, NDTV spoke exclusively to one of the soldiers who was engaged in the massive Keran encounter. He said that he saw 35 to 40 infiltrators as he took a bullet in the abdomen. Six soldiers are in the intensive care unit of the Army Hospital; three of them are said to be critical. While all of them want to be back on the frontline, their injuries are so severe they may not be able to do so and may be restricted to desk jobs.

The Army has finished six massive search operations in an area of 3 km along the LoC.  A huge cache of rocket launchers, AK 47s, pistols and under-barrel grenade launchers have been recovered. Sources have told NDTV that the sophistication of weapons and involvement of elements from different terror outfits or tanzeems indicate that the Pakistan Army may have backed the infiltration bid.

Though Pakistan has denied any role in the infiltration bid, the Indian Army has said the Pakistan's Border Action Team may have been involved.

There have been over 120 ceasefire violations this year - highest in eight years - along the Line of Control. The number of infiltration attempts from across the border has also doubled compared to last year.