Samba (Jammu and Kashmir), May 13 : Days after an encounter between the Border Security Force and militants at Samba, Village Defence Committees (VCD) and the police have intensified night patrolling in border hamlets to prevent militants from hiding in the area.

"While three heavily armed militants were eliminated, seven others are still hiding in Samba and in adjoining forest belts and are waiting to strike at some places," sources said.

Over 47 VDC committees have been trained by army troops in the handling of 303 rifles, setting up of ambushes, developing of intelligence inputs and monitoring activities.

Some ex-service men who were trained in counter insurgency warfare, have also joined the VDCs and are carrying out patrolling and night area domination in their respective border villages, sources said.

Members armed with 303 rifles and led by VDC head Makkar Ram have been patrolling the Kaily Mandi hamlet and entry points of villages since Monday.

The VDC members along with the police are also patrolling Baingallard, Ramgarh, Nanga, Regal, Mangral and Sangral areas during night.

A group of ten militants had infiltrated into Indian territory after a fierce firefight in the Baingalllar border belt on Friday. (ANI)