M A I N   N E W S

bid to disrupt Independence Day?
Tunnel detected along Indo-Pak border
It was noticed when land caved in due to rains
Ravi Krishnan Khajuria
Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 28
Barely 17 days ahead of Independence Day, the BSF has detected a tunnel being dug 25 feet below the ground along the Indo-Pak border near Chalyari border outpost in Samba sector thereby foiling a possible plan of the “enemy” to cause disruptions on August 15.

The tunnel, which probably started from Pakistani side, was detected 500 yards well within the Indian Territory.

The BSF mans 192-km international border.

“It all happened yesterday afternoon when BSF jawans on a patrol duty noticed that a big chunk of land had caved in due to rains near Chalyari BoP in Samba sector,” said a senior BSF officer.

Suspecting some foul play, the BSF jawans alerted senior officers. “Subsequently, when we pressed into service heavy machinery this morning and reached 25 feet below the ground, we came across a tunnel,” he added.

“Apparently, we have pre-empted a possible plan of the subversive elements. It is not possible to dig the tunnel 25 feet below the ground without the involvement of engineers. We have also found some air pipes inside the tunnel, which are used for supplying oxygen,” said the officer while hinting at the possible involvement of Pak Rangers.

“As of now, we can’t say anything about the length of the tunnel and whether it started from Pakistani side. It’s up to the experts now. But, it looks we have pre-empted a possible plan of the enemy,” he added.

Samba SSP Israr Khan said, “It appeared that the tunnel had originated some 400 meters on the other side of the border. Not only it had crossed the border but the barbed fence put up by the BSF and had entered 100 meters into our territory.”

Khan further said it would not have been possible to dig such a tunnel deep inside the ground without the involvement of Pak Rangers.

“It had not opened up on the surface in our territory but they must have used a good technology,” said the SSP.

Khan didn’t rule out the possibilities of involvement of some subversive elements on the Indian side.

“It is possible that some people on this side were guiding them about the direction of the tunnel. Going by the findings so far, it looks that the tunnel might have been started several months back, possibly with a sinister design to do something big on August 15,” said Khan.

He informed that in the given circumstances police can only register a First Information Report of a trespassing case of intruding into Indian Territory by unknown persons with intent to cause harm.

However, he also felt that a big plan of the enemy has been foiled.

Cross-border passage: SSP

It appeared that the tunnel had originated some 400 metres on the other side of the border. Not only had it crossed the border but the barbed fence put up by the BSF and had entered 100 metres into our territory.

— Israr Khan, Samba SSP