Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 25: The BSF last night thwarted major infiltration attempt by the militants between Jugnu Chak and Jai Kishan posts in Gharana area of RS Pura sector while authorities today ordered suspension of cross-LoC bus service and trade for tomorrow on Poonch-Rawlakote route as a precautionary measure in view of terror threat during Republic Day celebrations.
Official sources told the Excelsior that weekly cross-LoC bus service between Poonch-Rawlakote will not operate tomorrow. The intending passengers on both sides of the LoC have been briefed about the decision, they said.
On trade, no trucks will leave Poonch for Rawlakote in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) tomorrow. However, trucks from PoK will come to Poonch.
Meanwhile, at about 1 am today, Pakistani Rangers resorted to small arms firing between Jugnu Chak and Jai Kishan posts in Gharana area of RS Pura sector. Under the cover of firing, the Rangers tried to push a group of militants into the Indian territory.
However, the alert BSF jawans retaliated immediately and thwarted the Pakistani plot of infiltration. Exchange of firing continued till 3 am, sources said.
On January 22, Pak Rangers and BSF exchanged fire after BSF, suspecting movement of some persons, fired few rounds and the Pakistani side also fired few rounds after hearing sound in Regal Border out Post (BoP) area along the IB in Samba district.
On January 21, BSF foiled an infiltration bid in Arnia sub-sector.
Pakistani Rangers had on January 20 violated the ceasefire by resorting to firing by small arms on Border out Posts (BoPs) along the International Border in Jammu district, prompting the BSF to retaliate.
On January 13 and 12, there was small arms firing by Pakistani Rangers in Samba sector.
Pakistan also resorted to firing of mortar shells and small arms along the IB in Hiranagar belt of Kathua district on January 11.
Meanwhile, a multi-layered security apparatus has been put in place to ensure incident-free Republic Day celebrations in Jammu and Kashmir amid suspected terror threat on “soft targets” in the State and US President Barack Obama’s landmark three-day visit to India.
Governor NN Vohra will take the salute tomorrow at Maulana Azad Memorial Stadium in Jammu, which has been put under multi-tier security and made out of bound for any civilian movement after being sanitized by sniffer dogs.
“The threat is very much there, but we are fully prepared to deal with any eventuality,” police sources said.
“We have strengthened security pickets in the minority areas in the Valley. Security along the border has also been tightened, all the infiltration routes have been barricaded and have set up check posts at every sensitive position,” they added.
Security agencies in the State have been maintaining tight vigil in view of Obama’s visit to take part in tomorrow’s Republic Day function in New Delhi as chief guest.
Sources said that while the “known suspects” have been kept under surveillances, the quick reaction teams of the police have been kept ready.
“Night domination patrols have been increased and every possible step is being taken to maintain high alert,” they said.
Heavy security blanket has been imposed at the MAM stadium as the main function is going to be held there and large number of people are expected to attend the event.
The venue has been sealed from all sides with security men taking positions on flyovers, banks of river Tawi and residential areas surrounding the stadium after conducting massive search and sanitization operations with sniffer dogs in and around the stadium.
“Security along the sensitive places including temples, Jammu airport, railways station and venue has been increased and sniffer dogs have been pressed into service to track any explosive and other such things,” sources said.
All the entry and exit points to Jammu city have been sealed and all incoming vehicles are being screened before being allowed into city. Thorough frisking is also being conducted at dozens of checkpoints in the city.
A senior Army officer, on condition of anonymity, said, “In wake of the inputs that 200 terrorists were waiting in 36 launch pads across the border in Jammu region to infiltrate and carry out attacks on soft targets in the State, nothing can be left on chance, we are alert and won’t let a repeat of the unfortunate incident of 2000.”
He said that the number of Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) of police has been increased and a large number of PCR vans have been deployed on strategic locations across the Jammu region.
“QRT have been deployed, PCR Vans have been placed on all the strategic locations across the Jammu region,” sources said.
Security agencies along the International Border and the Line of Control have intensified vigil in wake of intelligence inputs that BATs, which are small groups of specialized Pakistani troops supported at times by militants, could strike in the run up to Republic Day.
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