Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 31: Indian troops opened firing in Balnoi sector of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district last night reportedly to neutralize a group of militants trying to infiltrate into this side while General Officer Commanding (GOC) 16 Corps Lt Gen DS Hooda today visited forward areas on the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar, Krishna Ghati and Poonch sectors.
Official sources told the Excelsior that troops opened firing after observing movement of infiltrators in forward Sagra area of Balnoi sector in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district late last night. Pakistan Army is also reported to have opened firing on their side only.
“It was not clear as to why Pakistan Army resorted to firing on their side only,’’ sources said, adding it could be an indication to the militants to retreat in view of heavy presence of Army personnel on Indian side of the LoC.
The militants were reported to have escaped back after the troops opened firing on observing their movement, sources said, adding that the troops conducted searches in entire Balnoi area early this morning. However, there were no traces indicating infiltration of the militants on this side of the LoC.
The infiltrators had retreated, sources said.
Confirming firing by the Pakistan Army simultaneously when the Indian troops opened firing to neutralize the militants, sources said, this was for the first time that they fired on their own side and didn’t target Army in forward positions to facilitate the infiltration bid by the ultras.
The firing by Pakistan Army lasted about 20 minutes.
Troops had been observing movement of militants during the past few days in Tufchian area of Pakistan opposite Sagra area of Balnoi sector. Troops had already been maintaining a high alert all along the LoC in anticipation of intrusions by the militants.
Sources said not only opposite Balnoi, there were many areas in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) opposite twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, where movement of militants along launching pads of Pakistan Army was clearly visible.
“In view of the movement of the militants and their reported attempts to sneak-in, Army have already sounded alert along the LoC,’’ sources said.
Meanwhile, GOC 16 Corps Lt Gen DS Hooda today visited forward areas of the LoC in Mendhar, Krishna Ghati and Poonch sectors along with senior local Commanders of the troops and reviewed security scenario.
The senior Army officers briefed Lt Gen Hooda on the situation prevailing on the LoC, number of militants present across the LoC and attempts being made by the ultras to enter into this side.
The GOC called upon the troops to remain on high alert and ensure that the militants didn’t manage to succeed in their designs.
With the onset of summer, the militants have made some intrusion bids in Poonch and Rajouri sectors on the LoC and International Border (IB) in Samba and RS Pura sectors but failed to sneak-in. Sources anticipated more such infiltration attempts in the summer for which they have already put a strategy in place.
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