Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 22: The Border Security Force (BSF) today thwarted a major Pakistan backed terror plot to cause an attack on the National Highway when they thwarted an infiltration attempt by the militants, killing an intruder and forcing the militant group, which was following him, to retreat to Pakistan. Click here to watch video
Official sources told the Excelsior that alert BSF jawans observed movement of a Pakistani militant trying to reach close to the border fencing in Bobiya post of Hiranagar sector in Kathua district at 7 am today. The jawans challenged the intruder and asked him to surrender but he tried to escape. The BSF jawans opened firing, killing the infiltrator on spot.
Subsequent recce of the area and investigations by the BSF revealed that a big group of the militants was following the slain militant, for infiltration into the Indian territory. One of the militants had been asked to move ahead for clearance of the route before reaching close to the border fencing.
However, realizing that the BSF troops were alert on the International Border after the killing of the militant, who was moving ahead, rest of the group escaped back to Pakistan and didn’t venture to infiltrate, sources said, adding that with the killing of militant, the major intrusion plot by the Pakistani militants has been foiled by the security personnel.
Intelligence inputs revealed that the militants had plans to carry out major terror attack on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway. However, their plan failed due to alertness of the BSF personnel, guarding the International Border. The National Highways of Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar are being guarded round-the-clock by para-military and police personnel in view of the ongoing annual pilgrimage of Shri Amarnath Ji.
There have been inputs with security and Intelligence agencies that Pakistan has kept number of militants on launching pads close to Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) to facilitate their infiltration into the Indian territory getting an opportunity. Number of the militants on the launch pads on Pakistani side has increased during the past few days in view of general elections in Pakistan scheduled for July 25 as Pakistan army wanted to cause couple of sensational terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir before the polls.
However, Army and BSF, who were well aware of Pakistan army’s plot of pushing militants into this side ahead of their elections, have been maintaining very high alert on LoC and IB and haven’t allowed any infiltration attempt by Pakistani militants to succeed.
Few days back, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat had visited Akhnoor sector and held high-level review of security situation along LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts besides Akhnoor sector, which is part of Jammu district. Sources said general elections in Pakistan were one of the reasons for sounding alert on LoC and IB as it was being anticipated that Pakistan army, at the behest of their mentors, could push the militants to carry out terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the elections.
Troops remained on high alert as general elections in Pakistan were just three days away now and there were still reports that Pakistan army could try to facilitate infiltration attempts by the militants into Jammu and Kashmir to cause terror strikes.
Sources said the slain militant was about 24 years of age and was confirmed as a Pakistani national. His identity couldn’t be established as he was not carrying any identity card with him.
Few days back, the BSF had also gunned down an infiltrator in Punjab sector.
Meanwhile, an Army jawan was injured in a mine blast on the Line of Control in Poonch sector this morning.
He has been identified as Sepoy Shedge Suraj, 22. He was patrolling the LoC when suddenly he stepped over the mine, leading to the blast. He sustained injuries in right foot and was airlifted to Command Hospital in Udhampur.
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