BSF on high alert as ultras look for soft points to infiltrate

Alfa Machal Post number nine, IB, Jan 28 (UNI) Border Security Force troops have been put on high alert along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir after receiving inputs that militants might attempt to infiltrate into the Indian soil.

''On receiving intelligence input about possible infiltration from across the border, we have put up our soldiers on high alert,'' Additional DIG (G-intelligence) K S Chauhan told UNI here at the International Border.

The BSF troops have been put on high alert along the entire 212 km long International border from Kathua to Akhnoor in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Due to high security and tight surveillance at the Line of Control (LoC), the militants, terrorist outfits and their patrons have turned their attention to soft infiltrating points on the International Border, he added.

''Infiltrators might have changed their focus from LoC to IB, but we have the best arrangements to counter and discourage militants, as we have done it three times in the past,'' the BSF official said.

Mr Chauhan said, ''we have intelligence inputs that about 50 militants in different groups, who got training in various camps, are waiting at the other side of the IB to cross over to the Indian territory, particularly from the Border Out Posts (BOP) in Jammu sector.'' ''We have accepted the challenge from militants and already foiled three consecutive infiltration bids at BOPs' of Matkola and Alfa Machal in Jammu sector in less than 15 days. Our jawans are fully prepared to counter them,'' he said.

Suspected militants in a group of eight to nine, on January 15 midnight tried to infiltrate from Alfa Machal post by cutting the fencing, but the bid was foiled and the intruders returned.

Infiltrators at Matkola BOP on January 17 night, under the cover of Pakistani Rangers firing, tried to enter into the Indian territory but the patrolling party of BSF 26 Battalion foiled their attempt. Two BSF men were injured in the process.

The BSF has termed the incident as major breach of three year old cease-fire between India and Pakistan that came into effect from November 26, 2003.

On the eve of Republic Day on January 25, a group of 10 to 12 infiltrators following an aged person suspected to be a guide, tried to cross over the IB. The troops of BSF 141 Battalion at Alfa Machal post killed the suspected guide and foiled the major infiltration bid.

UNI