New Delhi: Foiling major infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC), Army shot dead 17 militants in Jammu and Kashmir since October 3 night, a Defence spokesman said.

Four militants each were shot dead in Poonch, Baramulla and Lolab, three in Kupwara and two in Udhampur, he said adding that a large number of arms and ammunition were recovered from them.

The militants, all Pakistani nationals, belonged to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT), Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami and Hizbul Mujahideen, he said.

Giving details of the operation in Poonch, he said a group of armed militants sneaked in Mendhar via Balnoi and were challenged by Army personnel patrolling the area.

In the exchange of fire that followed, four militants were killed, he said. Four rifles and three rocket propelled guns were recovered from the infiltrators.

Two infiltrators were shot dead in Shajru area of Mahore in Udhampur district. Two AK rifles and some ammunition were recovered from the encounter site.

Four militants were killed in Gurez in Baramulla, he said adding that in the past one week 24 ultras have been shot dead by Army in the area.

The spokesman said Pika machine guns, AK assault rifles and grenades were among the arms and ammunition recovered from other militants.

PTI