Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 16: Army today arrested a Pakistani national on the Line of Control (LoC) at Nangi Tekri even as it reportedly foiled an infiltration attempt by the militants at Mankote in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district last night.
Official sources said Army troops apprehended a Pakistan national near the LoC when he was heading towards the Indian territory at Nangi Tekri in Mendhar sector of Poonch district this morning. He has been identified as Iftaaz Ahmad Khan, 26, son of Barhan Ali Khan, a resident of Khana Kol Plandri in Sudhuti area of Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
Troops subjected him to questioning to ascertain whether he was linked to militancy. From his possession, Rs 420 in Pakistan currency, one watch, a shawl and an identity card were recovered.
After completing their preliminary questioning, Army handed over the accused to local police for interrogation and find out motive of the youth behind infiltration inside the Indian territory.
Sources said Army troops also observed movement of the militants at Mankote in Krishna Ghati sector last night and opened firing to neutralize them. After some time, the militants managed to escape taking cover of darkness.
Army, however, didn’t confirm any infiltration attempt on the LoC.
Officiating Public Relation Officer (PRO) Defence S N Acharya, when contacted, said they have no report of any infiltration attempt in Krishna Ghati sector.
Sources, however, maintained that the troops pushed back the militants when they were trying to infiltrate inside the Indian territory under the cover of darkness and grown up `sarkanda’ at Mankote last night.
“There was no successful infiltration in any part of the LoC. The militants, who tried to infiltrate inside the Indian territory, escaped back after finding the troops on high alert,” they said.
Troops have been maintaining high alert all along the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri following reports that the militants could try to infiltrate into Indian territory during adverse weather conditions of the winter.
Troops had already installed sophisticated weaponry all along the LoC to ensure that the militants didn’t succeed in their infiltrations attempts during poor visibility in the winter months.
There had been reports with the security agencies that the militants were camping across the LoC opposite Rajouri and Poonch district awaiting opportunity for infiltration but have not succeeded. Similarly, there were also reports that the militants were present across the International Border in Jammu sector trying to enter into this side.
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