Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 7: In the wake of detection of another tunnel along the International Border near AMK Post in RS Pura sector, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has set up high level joint team of security agencies and Survey of India, the oldest mapping and surveying Central Engineering Agency of India, to find out whether more such tunnels have been dug out along the Interna-tional Border in Jammu and Punjab for facilitation of infiltration by the militants from Pakistan to carry out terror attacks.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the MHA has asked the joint team, which comprised experts of Army, BSF, Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other connected agencies and Survey of India to use latest technology at their disposal to search every inch of the International Border in Jammu and Punjab to detect more tunnel, if any, in the border areas.
“After detection of third tunnel on the IB and Line of Control (LoC) in RS Pura sector on Thursday, the MHA has set up high level team following inputs that more such tunnels might have been dug along the IB in Jammu and Punjab sectors to help the militants infiltrate into the Indian territory,” sources said.
They added that the joint team comprised experts of Army, BSF, IB and other Intelligence agencies apart from the Survey of India, which has experienced men and latest technology for mapping and surveying the land to dig out underground tunnel.
Saying that the team would start its job very soon from Jammu sector of the International Border, sources said the deep penetrating radars, developed by Defence and Research Development Organization (DRDO) have also been kept at the disposal of high level team to assist it in its task of finding out more tunnels in the border areas.
Admitting that it was “very tough task” to map entire IB in Jammu and Punjab, which was most vulnerable in terms of tunnels and militant attacks, sources said the team has been asked to take its time but ensure that no tunnel dug out on the borders goes undetected.
Sources said the joint team has also been mandated to look for possible gaps along the borders and suggest measures to plug them so that they were not exploited by the militants for infiltration into the Indian side.
They added that constitution of the high level team was necessitated following inputs generated after detection of tunnel near AMK Post in RS Pura sector that there could be more such tunnel along the IB, which could be activated by the militants for infiltration to target security force installations in Jammu, Punjab and other areas.
It may be mentioned here that the BSF had detected 10 feet underground tunnel having been dug about 30 meters inside the Indian territory near AMK Post in RS Pura sector on Thursday. The tunnel originated from Pakistan side and was suspected to be about 200 to 300 meters on other side of the border.
PTI adds from New Delhi: Home Minister Rajnath Singh today reviewed the internal security situation in the country in the wake of inputs that 10 suspected LeT and JeM terrorists have entered India from Pakistan through Gujarat.
At a high-level meeting, attended by top security officials including Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and Director of Intelligence Bureau Dineshwar Sharma, Singh took stock of the situation and the steps taken to prevent any possible terror attacks.
The Home Minister was briefed that four NSG teams have taken position in different locations in Gujarat and would rush to any place if there is any emergency, official sources said.
Singh also reviewed the steps taken to beef up security in strategic locations, religious sites and industrial spots in Gujarat and metro cities apprehending threats, they said.
However, so far there is no clue about the suspected terrorists, who were believed to have entered Gujarat, which could be their prime target.
An alert has already been sounded in Gujarat and other major metropolitan centres by Central security agencies following reports that the 10 terrorists have entered the western State to carry out attacks against high-value targets.
A similar alert has also been sent to Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chandigarh.
In view of the January 2 terror attack in Pathankot airbase, security agencies were not taking any chances and all possible steps are being taken to prevent any possible terror attacks, sources said.
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