BSF foils infiltration bid on Jammu border

With Pakistani troops suspectedly providing cover fire, four to six heavily-armed militants on Thursday tried to sneak into India through the International Border in Jammu but the attempt was foiled by the alert Border Security Force which claimed to have injured or killed at least one of them.

"The BSF will soon be lodging a strong protest with Pakistan Rangers for the nefarious activities from Pakistan territory, particularly from the area nearby their post," said the spokesman of the paramilitary force about the incident in Hiranagar area of Kathua district.

"Last night, movement of a group of terrorists was noticed on the Pakistan side of International Border. Their movement was kept under watch by alert BSF troops," the spokesman said.

At about 2345 hours, the group of heavily-armed terrorists were again spotted by alert BSF troops close to IB on the Pakistan side where they reached taking advantage of undulating ground and thick wild growth.

"Terrorists took refuge in a depression having dense wild growth," he said.

In view of this, all the nearby BSF and army posts as well as Police were alerted.

"At about 2355 hours, militants fired two RPG shells aiming BSF night patrol vehicle in the area followed by heavy volume of fire from automatic weapons towards patrolling party and BSF duty points," the spokesman said.

The BSF troops retaliated.

"The firing from the BSF was not only to suppress their (militants') fire but also to create havoc among terrorists," he said, adding it not only pinned them down but forced them to retreat.

"During illumination of Para bomb fire, it was clearly seen by BSF troops that four terrorists were fleeing and also dragging one of their injured or killed associate," the spokesman said.

Earlier, BSF Inspector General (Jammu Frontier) D K Upadhyaya said a group of 4 to 6 militants made an infiltration bid into Indian side along IB and attacked one vehicle carrying troops on patrolling with RPGs followed by heavy and indiscriminate firing at forward area (Bobiya) in Kathua on Wednesday night.

The vehicle was patrolling the borderline at the time of the infiltration bid, he said, adding that BSF troops guarding the borderline fired back heavily resulting in exchanges. 

He said that there was possibly support fire from the Border Out Posts of Pakistan troops.

"Because BoPs are close by, so there is possibility of tactical support of rangers as well," he said.

The militants retreated, taking advantage of thick growth of bushes and darkness, the officer said, adding that "when we fired para bombs for illumination of the area, the militants escaping back were carrying one injured back."

They continued firing and BSF troops fired for over 20 minutes.

Border Security Force men patrol near International Border in RS Pura Sector in Jammu on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo