SRINAGAR: The BSF has detected a 20-meter long tunnel along the border with Pakistan in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, thus foiling possible infiltration of militants into the State.
“In view of recent attempts by militants to infiltrate into the State from International Border (IB) in Jammu region and firing by Pakistani troops to facilitate their infiltration, BSF took several measures to ensure full proof security and foil nefarious designs of Pakistani troops,” a senior BSF official from Jammu told Express.
He said besides increasing security along the IB, the border guards regularly conducted anti-tunnel exercise to detect tunnels dug from Pakistani side to this side to facilitate infiltration of militants.
The official said the BSF patrol party during an anti tunnelling exercise on Monday carried out an in-depth scanning of an area along IB in Ramgarh sector of Samba district after suspicion that a tunnel may have been dug up from the other side.
“During the intense scanning and searches of the area, the BSF men detected approximately 20 meters long tunnel ahead of the fence in Indian territory. The tunnel is 2.5 feet x 2.5 feet in size and width,” he said.
Terming the detection of the tunnel as a major achievement, the BSF official said the tunnel’s origin is found to be from Pakistan side and ending at a distance of 20 meters ahead of the border fence on this side.
He said the tunnel was yet to be completed. “It was detected well in advance by the alert BSF men before reaching the border fence”.
According to the official, the timely detection of the tunnel has foiled nefarious design of Pakistan Rangers to infiltrate militants into the Indian territory from IB in Jammu region to foment trouble in the State.
He said since Kashmir witnessed heavy snowfall this winter, the Pakistani troops may attempt to push militants from the Jammu region.
“We are receiving regular inputs about the presence of militants in border villages in Pakistan. The Pakistani troops are desperate to push the militants into J&K to create disturbances in the State,” the official said adding BSF men are extremely vigilant and prepared to deal with any emerging threats.
“The troops have been placed on high alert along the border to foil any infiltration attempt of the militants,” he added.
The BSF in November last year had detected a “rat-hole” in Chamliyal-Ramgarh sector in Samba district after killed three militants, who had used the tunnel to infiltrate into this side.
After detection of the tunnel, BSF had decided to scan the borderline to detect more tunnels and prevent militants from using them to infiltrate into J&K.