On specific information that a group of militants had sneaked into Indian side of line of control (LoC) in Balakote area, a joint team of Army and BSF laid an ambush to track them down.

After challenged by the troops, the militants opened heavy fire. Pakistani troops also opened fire simultaneously to help the militants in their crossing into the Indian side under firing cover, he said.

Indian troops retaliated forcing the militants to flee back into Pakistan occupied Kashmir leaving behind some arms and ammunition. The troops searched the area and recovered one RPG launcher with seven rockets, six booster chargers, one pistol silencer, one handgrenade and one binocular, he said.