BSF in search of infiltrators after discovering holes in border fence

Abdullian Sector (Jammu-Kashmir), Jan.23 (ANI): Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have launched a massive search operation here after noticing holes in the border fence along the International Border between Indian and Pakistan.

The border fence was damaged in the Abdullian sector of R.S. Pura region of Jammu district on Friday night.

Some media reports have stated it was a fresh infiltration bid by a group of three or four armed militants from Pakistan. They managed to cut 15-20 strands of the realigned fence under the cover of dense fog.

Reportedly, seven wires from the Indian side and eight strands from the Pakistan side were damaged.

Deputy Inspector General, Border Security Force, J.B. Sangwan, admits damage in the border fence.

"A few strands of the realigned fencing have been damaged during last night. This is a fencing, which is under construction, and BSF has not yet taken out the fencing. The old fencing is intact. There area between both the fences has been searched and nothing has been found so far," said Sangwan.

However, some BSF officials ruled out the possibility of infiltration.

With Republic Day round the corner, a damaged border fence has caused concerned to the BSF officials, who say they are all prepared to foil any infiltration attempt.

Security forces in Jammu have been out on high alert and the Indian Army, BSF, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), local police and Village Defence Committees (VDCs) are engaged in searches along the border and forward villages, in anticipation of intrusion, as per reports.

Police and paramilitary forces have sealed all routes leading to the city from R.S. Pura and surrounding areas. The VDCs have been asked to keep a strict vigil in the villages throughout the night.

It can be noted that Indian paramilitary personnel had earlier said there had been a rise in number of infiltration attempts from the Pakistan side in Jammu and Kashmir state.

There have been six infiltration attempts so far in this year alone. Last year, the total number of attempts was 43.

Officials claim the infiltrators try to enter by damaging the border fencing, but the alertness of the security forces has prevented these attempts.

The infiltration bids have become recurring events despite a ceasefire between the two armies and a three-metre high barbed wire security-fence along most of the 742 kilometres (460-miles) long Line of Control (LoC). (ANI)