Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 4: The Border Security Forces (BSF) has captured a Pakistani intruder alive after heavy exchange of firing at Paharpur post in Hiranagar sector last night while another infiltration attempt by the militants was foiled in the same sector on the International Border (IB). Troops foiled two more intrusions bids in Mankote sector of Poonch this afternoon.
The BSF has admitted the injured Pakistani infiltrator, who was believed to be a militant or a guide, in the Military Hospital, Satwari after evacuating him from Paharpur post where he was injured in retaliatory firing by the security forces last night.
Official sources said the BSF jawans observed an infiltration attempt on the IB at Paharpur post in Hiranagar sector at 10.40 pm last night. Alert BSF troops opened firing to neutralize the militants.
Simultaneously, Pakistani Rangers also started firing from their forward posts of Noor-ul-Islam and Abhyal Dogra opposite Paharpur reportedly with a view to give cover to the infiltrators. Exchange of firing continued till 11.10 pm. The BSF successfully thwarted the infiltration attempt.
Sources said at about 1 pm today when the BSF jawans were conducting searches in Paharpur area, they found one of the infiltrators lying in an injured condition there. The BSF evacuated the injured and shifted him to Military Hospital Satwari. The intruder had received gun shot wounds.
He reportedly disclosed his identity as Akhter Hussain, 30, a resident of Nikowal, Pakistan but denied his links with the militants. However, the security agencies have refused to buy his theory of being a civilian on the ground that he was injured in the firing at 11 pm last night at the border.
Sources said the civilian appeared to be the guide, who was leading the militant group for infiltration and was caught in the firing of the BSF. Finding the BSF jawans alert, the militants were reported to have retreated to Pakistan. As their guide had been seriously injured, they left him behind.
It was during the searches being conducted in the day today that the BSF jawans found the Pakistani lying in injured condition near Paharpur post and shifted him to hospital. He was unable to return to Pakistan as he had been injured seriously and it was believed that the militant group, which was trying to infiltrate into this side for another fidayeen attack, saved themselves by fleeing back leaving their colleague or the guide in injured condition.
“Recovery of the Pakistani from the injuries could prove very useful as he could give clues about the infiltrating group and involvement of Pakistani Rangers in pushing them into this side. It was under the cover of firing by the Rangers that the militants had tried to infiltrate into this side,’’ sources said.
On the intervening night of October 2 and 3 also, the BSF on the International Border and police, CRPF and VDCs in the hinterland of Hiranagar had been maintaining very high alert after specific inputs about fresh infiltration attempt.
Sources said last night a group of three to four militants tried to intrude from Paharpur. SSP Kathua Mohan Lal and SDPO Border ML Kaith were camping at forward areas of Hiranagar along with police and para-military personnel and police to ensure that the militants didn’t enter too far in case of successful intrusion bid. Police, para-military and VDCs have laid 27 nakas from forward areas of Hiranagar up to National Highway. IGP Jammu Rajesh Kumar and DIG Jammu-Kathua range Shakeel Ahmed Beig were regularly monitoring nakas.
It may be mentioned here that three militants had infiltrated from Paharpur area of Hiranagar sector in the wee hours of September 26 and struck at Hiranagar police and Mehsar Army camp at Samba killing four police personnel and four Army soldiers besides two civilians. All three fidayeens were killed in the Army camp.
Meanwhile, militants made two more infiltration attempts—one each at Sona Gali and Choi Gali in Mankote sector of Poonch district at 4 pm today under the cover of Pakistani firing.
Indian troops retaliated the firing.
Both the infiltration attempts were foiled, sources said. Two similar intrusion bids had been made at the same places last night.
Sources added that the same militant groups might have tried to infiltration again today but their plan was foiled.
Pakistan Army resumed firing at Mankote at 10 pm tonight, which continued for a couple of hours.
Meanwhile, Army, CRPF and police have launced searches at Baspur Bungalow and surrounding areas after people claimed that they have seen three militants in the village falling close to the boder.
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