SRINAGAR: After firing by Pakistani troops on International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, militants are now planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) along LoC to cause casualties among security forces.
The IB and LoC in Jammu province has been witnessing near daily skirmishes between Indian and Pakistani troops. At least eight people have been killed and about 100 injured in Pakistani troops firing at IB and LoC in the State since October 1. Even today, the troops of two countries exchanged fire in Poonch sector and a minor girl was injured.
“With no headway being made on any ground whether IB or LoC, inimical elements have now started taking assistance from militants in planting IED and mines on the LoC,” said defence spokesman in Jammu, Lt Col Manish Mehta.
He said the high reaching and treacherous terrain of Poonch in Jammu province has been used by inimical elements to give shape to their evil designs.
Mehta said a Pakistan-origin claymore mine along with a knife, shawl, tracksuit and caps was recovered on LoC in Saujiyan Sector in Poonch district yesterday by an alert army patrol.
“The mine recovery reaffirms the handiwork of inimical militants and subversive elements in spreading acrimonious activities on LoC and hinterland,” he said.
The seized claymore mine, according to him, was a lethal weapon and had 800 pellets and a killing area of 50mtrs and danger area of around 200mtrs.
This is the second landmine to have been detected by army men on LoC in Poonch sector within a week.
Earlier, on October 10, army men had recovered and defused a powerful IED planted by militants on LoC at Balnoi in Mendhar sector of Poonch district.
The IED weighed about five kg and was filled with powerful explosive material capable of causing major casualties and extensive damage.
A soldier was killed and another injured when an IED targeting a patrol party of army exploded in Balnoi area of LoC in Poonch district on October 4.
Lt Col Mehta said Army continues to enhance and upgrade its vigil on a daily basis along LoC to foil “enemy attempts” to create disturbances.
“Army is fully prepared and geared up to handle any misadventure or nefarious design of militants,” he added.