Three terrorists were killed in a fierce gun battle as army troops foiled the sixth infiltration bid in ten days along the Line of Control [Images] in Jammu and Kashmir [Images].

A group of three to four terrorists crossed the LoC in a forward area of Keri sub-sector of Rajouri district on Saturday afternoon, a senior army official said, adding that as they reached between the LoC and border fencing, alert troops laid a cordon in the area and launched an operation to track them down.

A gun battle followed in which three terrorists were killed, he said.

This is the sixth infiltration bid by terrorists along the LoC in the past ten days and the third such attempt in Keri sub-sector.

A terrorist was gunned down when troops foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Peer Badasherwar forward belt in Keri on October 15. During a similar bid in Kanchi post in Poonch district the previous day, another terrorist was killed by troops.

Terrorists also tried to enter Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir via the LoC in Keri area on October 11 and in Noushera belt on October 13. Two terrorists were killed as troops pushed back the ultras.

Earlier on October 9, troops foiled an infiltration bid in Keri sector and a soldier was killed in a gunfight.

On October 1, BSF troops foiled an infiltration bid along the international border at Tent post in Kanachak sub-sector of Jammu district as Pakistani Rangers opened small arms fire to push in a group of terrorists.

The official said intelligence reports suggest that several large groups of terrorists are staged in the launch pads along the LoC, ready to enter Jammu and Kashmir. Army and

BSF have further beefed up the security along the LoC and the IB to resist any infiltration attempt.

"We are vigilant. Troops are guarding the border round the clock and have been instrumental in foiling the designs of terrorists," he said, adding that the terrorist leadership in Pakistan were desperate to push in more ultras into the state to create trouble before the coming assembly elections.

In late September, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the LoC several times, opening fire on Indian forward posts in their attempt to give cover to infiltrating terrorists.