BSF foils major infiltration bid by militants in J

Jammu, May 9 (UNI) The BSF troops foiled a major infiltration attempt by heavily armed militants at Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir last night, a first of its kind on Indo-Pak international border (IB) after the ceasefire, a senior offical today said.

Troops of 112 BSF battalion noticed suspicious movements along the barbed fencing on the IB at 6-Romeo post in Ban Gral area of Samba sector at 2240 hrs yesterday, Deputy Inspector General (G) J B Sangwan told a press conference.

Taking advantage of darkness and protective bandhs, a group of about 10 to 15 people crossed the zero line and reached the fence and started tampering the fence to sneak into the Indian side, he said.

''When troops on the 6-R post challenged the group, they were fired at heavily by automatic weapons. The armed infiltrators also lobbed grenades to force entry into the Indian side,'' Mr Sangwan said.

However, the fire was returned by the BSF and the militants fled back from the spot, he said, adding no one was hurt in the shootout.

About 400-500 empty cases of AK-47 ammunition and three blind (missed) grenades were also recovered on the Indian side of the IB, he said.

A verbal protest was lodged by the BSF at a company-level flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers, who man the other side of the IB.

However, BSF has asked the Pakistan Rangers for holding a flag meeting at commandant level to discuss the issue, he added.

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