M A I N   N E W S

Infiltration bids in J&K; Armyman, intruder killed
Tribune News Service

Ultras had struck Akhnoor today and Kathua yesterday. A file photo

Jammu, July 22
Pakistan-backed terrorists struck 700 meters inside the Indian territory along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pallanwala area of the Akhnoor sector today killing an Armyman in exchange of fire.

The BSF also foiled an intrusion bid last evening by killing a Pakistani intruder in the Hiranagar sub-sector along the International Border in Kathua district. The intruder was leading a group of ultras.

While the Army claimed it to be a group of infiltrating militants, the possibility of the involvement of Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) cannot be ruled out.

The martyred soldier has been identified as Naik Mongchon B of Naga Regiment, a native of Tuensang in Nagaland.

On May 18, a soldier was killed in a suspected Pak BAT attack in the Jogwan forward area along the LoC in the Akhnoor sector.

Three Indian security personnel have been killed on the frontiers of the Jammu region since the Narendra Modi government took over on May 26.

On June 12, a soldier was killed and seven others, including a Major, were injured in two IED blasts in the Tarkundi area of the Balakote sector along the LoC in the Poonch sector.

On July 16, a BSF jawan — constable Sanjay Dhar — was killed while three Bihari labourers and a local youth were injured in Ranger’s fire in Arnia. “Today around 9 am, there was an infiltration bid in the Kachrial area of the Pallanwala sector in Akhnoor by a group of ultras. In the ensuing gunfight, we lost a trooper when the group was being repulsed,” said Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta. He said the operation was still on. “The Army has cordoned off the area and a search operation has been launched,” he added.

Col Mehta said the terrorists opened fire on two soldiers this morning in the Pallanwala sector at a location approximately 700 metres on the Indian side of the LoC.

Sources said the ultras, believed to be eight to nine in number, entered via Munawar Tawi before being intercepted by the Indian patrol team.

In another incident, the BSF killed a Pakistani intruder in the Hiranagar sub-sector along the International Border in Kathua district last evening. The intruder, believed to be a guide, was leading a group of ultras.