Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 22: Pakistan tonight again opened firing at forward area of Pangdor in Bain Glard in Samba sector violating ceasefire second time in the past 24 hours as the Rangers had also resorted to shelling and firing at Pansar and Manyari in Hiranagar sector last night.
Reports said the Rangers fired bursts towards the Indian posts and villages at Pangdor in Bain Glard in Samba sector at 10 pm followed by small arms firing. The BSF retaliated.
However, there were no casualties or damage.
Pakistani Rangers last night again resorted to mortar shelling and firing in forward villages of Pansar and Manyari along the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district targeting civilian areas and BSF posts while police, SOG and IRP today staged joint march all along Zero Line of the IB to restore confidence among the people living in the border areas following reports that the militants could strike on or before Republic Day celebrations in the State.
The Rangers tried to push a group of militants into the Indian territory under the cover of mortar shelling and firing but the BSF foiled their attempt.
Official sources said the Rangers fired five 82mm mortar shells and resorted to firing targeting forward villages and BSF posts between Pansar and Manyari in Hiranagar sector at 9.30 pm last night. The BSF immediately retaliated to silence the Pakistani guns and neutralize the militants trying to infiltrate into the Indian territory under covering fire by the Rangers.
Sources said the Rangers fired five mortar shells but all of them missed the target and exploded in isolated villages.
“There were no casualties or damage in Pakistan firing and shelling,’’ they said, adding that the firing stopped at 11 pm.
According to sources, the infiltration attempt by the militants was successfully foiled. The militants have been trying to infiltrate from the border under the covering fire by the Rangers but alert BSF jawans have thwarted their all plots.
“The militants were desperate for infiltration into the Indian territory on the eve of Republic Day but the BSF hasn’t allowed them to succeed,’’ sources said and pointing out that at least 70 dreaded militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit were camping in Sialkot and Narowal opposite Samba sector waiting for an opportunity to infiltrate into this side but haven’t succeeded due to strict surveillance being maintained on the borders.
Meanwhile, Border Police, Special Operations Group (SOG) and Indian Reserve Police (IRP) conducted a march all along the International Boundary to restore confidence among the people living in the border areas.
“The people were panicky on Intelligence inputs that the militants could try to infiltrate into this side on or before Republic Day and carry out terror strikes. They were also apprehensive of firing by the Rangers,’’ sources said, adding that police conducted the march to maintain confidence among the people.
They said the police march served the twin purposes—one, it restored confidence among the people and second, it helped in searches along the border villages.
The march was led by SDPO Border Diwakar Singh.
Additional police forces have been deployed in the border areas for search operations. Police have also activated the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and asked them to ensure night patrolling along the infiltration routes of the militants.
It has also asked the Panchayat members to advise the people to inform police if the observe movement of strangers.
Meanwhile, an Anti-Tank mine was today found in a field along the International Border in Samba district.
One Balak Ram, son of Des Raj Singh, resident of Galar this afternoon at around 1.30 pm noticed an Anti-Tank mine in his field and he informed the matter to the BSF, sources said.
They said that the BSF troops rushed to the spot and seized the device.
The matter is being investigated, police added.
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