Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: Army and BSF today foiled two major infiltration attempts along Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) killing a top Pakistani militant and apprehending another while three other infiltrators managed to escape back to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) following effective retaliatory firing brought down by the troops.
The infiltration attempts came close on the heels of “very credible” and “specific inputs” given by the Intelligence agencies that large number of militants have been camping across LoC and IB on Pakistan side with a view to infiltrate into this side on the eve of Republic Day to cause disturbances.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the troops observed movement of a group of four militants along LoC in Dadal Maneka area of Sunderbani sector in Rajouri district in wee hours of this morning when they were trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory along with a consignment of heavy arms, ammunition and explosive material.
Troops challenged the militants and then opened firing to neutralize them. During the exchange of gunbattle, one of the infiltrators was killed while three others managed to escape back to PoK under the cover of darkness. The troops didn’t suffer any casualties in the operation that lasted more than an hour.
Immediately after the gunfight, troops conducted searches along LoC in Sunderbani sector. However, there was no trace of other militants and they were reported to have fled back to PoK finding the Army personnel on very high alert along the LoC.
Body of the slain militant has been recovered and he was believed to be a top Pakistani militant.
“Arms, ammunition and explosives material recovered from the possession of militants as well as the weaponry with three militants, who fled back, indicated that the group of four militants was infiltrating into the Indian territory with plot to carry out major terror attack,” sources said, adding that the troops have thwarted game plan of the militants by eliminating one of them and forcing three others to retreat with their alertness.
The BSF thwarted another infiltration attempt along the International Border in Suchetgarh sector of RS Pura tehsil when they captured a Pakistani national alive soon after he entered into the Indian territory.
The captured Pakistani national has been whisked away to an unknown place for questioning.
He has reportedly disclosed his identity as Mohammad Ahmad, 35, son of Mohammad Aneef, a resident of Kot Din Dhan in Sialkot district of Pakistan. He was carrying some currency with him when he was captured.
Sources didn’t rule out the possibility of some militant group having sent Mohammad Ahmed ahead before making an attempt to infiltrate into the Indian side.
Army and BSF have been maintaining very high alert all along the LoC and IB respectively following “specific inputs” given by the Intelligence agencies that a large number of militants have gathered on the launching pads across LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri and across IB opposite Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts with a view to infiltrate into this side to carry out terror attacks on the eve of Republic Day in Jammu.
The issue was recently discussed at the Core Group meeting co-chaired by General Officer Commanding (GOC) 16 Corps Lt Gen AK Sharma and Director General of Police (DGP) Dr Shesh Pal Vaid after which Security Grid along LoC, IB and hinterland was further strengthened.
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