2 OGWs held in Kathua, ops to detect tunnels on IB

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 25: Two Over Ground Workers (OGWs) have been arrested by police for their involvement in a terror attack on an Army patrol party at Badnota near Machedi in Billawar area of Kathua district.

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“Two OGWs were apprehended for their involvement in supporting terror-related actions,” police said.
“These individuals were found to have deliberately withheld crucial information from the police,” the police said, adding that those arrested have been identified as Layaqat Ali, alias Pawu of Kalna Dhanu Parole (Billawar) and Mool Raj alias Jenju from Bowli Mohalla (Malhar).
The duo refused to disclose vital information to the police, thereby obstructing efforts to prevent terrorist actions, the police said.
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Ali and Raj have been booked under 61(1) (Criminal conspiracy), 113 (Terrorist act), 147 (Waging, or attempting to wage war against Government of India), 150 (Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the EIMCO (Egress and Internal Movement Control) Act at Malhar Police Station.
Over 100 individuals have been interrogated and preventive measures have been taken against over 40 others in connection with the case to mitigate risks and disrupt potential support systems for terrorist activities.
“The arrest of these OGWs underscores our commitment,” the police said.
Meanwhile, amid concerns about infiltration attempts by terrorists, security forces have launched an operation along the International Border (IB) in the Samba sector to detect underground and cross-border tunnels.
Scores of police and security personnel equipped with specialised gear are meticulously scanning border areas, focusing on dense bushes and forested regions as part of this operation, the officials said.
“A comprehensive anti-tunnel exercise has commenced to ascertain the presence of any cross-border tunnels,” they said.
The search operations also involve deployment of drones and are being conducted daily in response to the ongoing security threats posed by potential terrorist infiltrations.
“Security forces are clearing dense bushy areas to eliminate the possibility of existence of tunnels,” the officials added.