(Image source from: Pakistan Army behind Keran infiltration})

After 15 days of fanatic quest and rapacious gun battle to flush out Pakistani infiltrators holed up in the Indian posts in Keran sector in Shala Bhata, the Operation Keran was finally called off by the Indian Army on Tuesday.

As many as 40 militants and Pakistan special force troops had sneaked into the Keran sector in Kupwara district. To thwart further intrusion, a special search operation was launched by the Indian Army from September 24.

Talking about the infiltration for the first time and making stunning revelation, Northern Command chief Lt General Sanjeev Chachra said “the infiltration bids are not possible without the help of the Pakistan Army and maintained that his forces are on high alert and will continue to ensure that the sanctity of the LoC is maintained.”

He also revealed that no Indian posts were taken by intruders. While the search operation has been aborted, the anti-infiltration operations will likely to carry on for now.

Lt Chachra said that the Army had been tipped-off about these infiltration bids in advance and it is likely to continue as winter is approaching. "The counter infiltration bid is in place across the LOC. There will be infiltrations bids. We have intelligence inputs on them and we are well prepared," Lt General Chachra said.

Although he remained tight-lipped on the number of terrorists that infiltrated into the Indian territory, Lt General Chachra said that while some “infiltrators in the Keran sector have been eliminated, other bids have been foiled. The Army said eight bodies have been recovered.”

However, despite all evidence against Pakistan for instigating one of India's longest anti-infiltration operation,  the country continues to be in denial.

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury