Jammu, September 18
Even as firing from across the border continued this morning also in the Akhnoor sector, BSF officials held a flag meeting with the Pakistan Rangers. The meeting took place at 11:30 am today and went on for 15 minutes.
The Pakistan troops reportedly opened two bursts of fire in the wee hours today near the Nikkowal post when a BSF team, comprising officers, was inspecting the fencing to check if some militants had sneaked in. The Indian troops retaliated. No one was hurt in the firing. Both sides used light weapon fire.
BSF officers curtly told the Pakistan Rangers at a flag meeting at the Nikowal post that no more firing from across the border would be tolerated. The Pakistan Rangers were also told to control the movement of militants, who were using their soil to fire on Indian troops or infiltrate into Indian territory.
The Pakistan Rangers denied that they had fired at Indian posts last night, injuring two BSF jawans. However, they were told that it was impossible that such an assault could take place without their support. BSF officials said Pakistan was told to curb the activities of the militants on its soil and help India in maintaining peace on the border.
JB Sagwan, DIG, BSF, said the Pakistan Rangers had been told that India would retaliate strongly to any future firing. “We will repulse any firing and retaliate strongly,” he said. Lt-Col Raja of the Pakistan Rangers from the Illias post participated in the flag meeting, while AR Rathore,
Commandant of BSF 32 Battalion, led the Indian team.
AK Surolia, IG, BSF, said the Pakistan troops had fired from three to four sides at the Indian post first at 6:15 pm and more firing take place later yesterday.
Meanwhile, the BSF denied any infiltration took place, but the police was on high alert. However, sources in the counter-intelligence wing of the state police said four militants might have sneaked into the Indian side from the Akhnoor sector under cover fire provided by the Pakistan Rangers. “Though the BSF has denied the possibility of militants having sneaked in, we are preparing for the worst scenario,” AK Gupta, IG, Jammu zone, told The Tribune. We were not taking any chances with security and all requisite precautions had been taken, said Gupta.
Meanwhile, a high alert was sounded all along the nearly 1,000 km border and the LoC between the two countries from Kathua to Poonch. The maximum alert has been sounded on the Kathua-Jammu-Poonch highway amid conflicting reports that some militants might have sneaked in. Surolia said all vehicles coming towards Jammu were being checked and people frisked. The Army and the BSF have sealed all roads leading towards the border. No one is being allowed to move without his identity documents checked. The security agencies have told villagers along the border to remain alert.
The police was also on high alert in Jammu, which could be the target of the militants. The Id festival on September 21 and the Navratras beginning tomorrow could be the possible targets, police sources said. The two BSF soldiers hurt in the firing last night were under treatment at a government hospital in Jammu. A splinter had hit BSF jawan Rajinder Kumar in the eye, while Mandeep Singh suffered a shoulder injury. Doctors are trying to save the eye of Rajinder Kumar.
