Infiltration bid fails despite cover fire from Pak

The Army has foiled an infiltration bid in Kerni sector of Poonch district after exchanging heavy fire with terrorists that left an officer injured, a defence spokesman said on Wednesday.

Troops observed movement of intruders at Nato Kalsa forward post in Kerni sector of the border district around 1930 hours on Tuesday evening and challenged them when they tried to cross over to this side.

The intruders opened heavy volume of fire, which was retaliated by the troops forcing them to retreat towards Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK), the spokesman said.

Lieutenant Nikhil Basmeet was injured in the firing, he said, adding his condition was stable.

The firing exchange again resumed in the area after a lull of half-an-hour and continued intermittently till midnight, official sources said, adding Pakistani troops provided covering firing to the terrorists.

This was the second attempt by ultras to infiltrate in Jammu division in the last two days. Earlier, BSF troops foiled an infiltration bid by militants near border outpost in Abdullian area of R S Pura sector of Jammu district on June 21.