Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 11: Pakistani Rangers have been trying to stop installation of sophisticated gadgetry by the BSF on the Indian side along the International Border by resorting to frequent firing as they (the Rangers) feared that it would become impossible for them to push trained militants into the Indian territory once the BSF completes its work.
Even today, Pakistan targeted forward Indian posts in Nawa Pind in RS Pura sector violating ceasefire. This was for third consecutive day today when the Rangers violated ceasefire along the International Border in RS Pura and Arnia sectors.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Pakistani Rangers were targeting forward posts of the BSF and villages where security forces were engaged in installation of sophisticated gadgetry within their own territory, which would help them in keeping more surveillance on infiltration of the militants inside the Indian territory from the International Border.
“Aware about the installation of new gadgetry, the Rangers were targeting the areas where the work was on. They were directly targeting the workers and the machinery,’’ sources said, adding the BSF was exercising restraint and retaliating only when it becomes necessary to safeguard the civilians from shelling and firing from across the border.
According to sources, the BSF was strengthening ground sensors (which were capable of detecting underground tunnels) and thermal imaging cameras (which catch movement of infiltrating militants) within the Indian territory along the International Border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.
However, aware of the BSF plans to strengthen its positions to checkmate the infiltrators, the Rangers were targeting the BSF posts and workers engaged in installation of sophisticated gadgetry to stall the work, which the BSF is committed to complete.
While the BSF is already maintaining strict surveillance all along the International Border and has thwarted all infiltration attempts by the militants, sources pointed out that installation of latest gadgetry would further help the BSF to check activities of the militants and foil their designs.
Worthwhile to mention here that under the cover of mortar shelling and firing by the Pakistani Rangers in first half of January, the Rangers had tried to push trained militants into the Indian territory from Samba, Hiranagar and RS Pura sectors eight times but the alert BSF jawans had foiled the attempts. Two BSF jawans and a woman were killed in Pakistan’s shelling and firing while 10 other civilians were injured.
Sources said in view of heavy presence of militants on Pakistan side of the border opposite Hiranagar and Samba sectors, the BSF wanted to strengthen its positions to ensure that the militants didn’t get any chance to infiltrate.
Meanwhile, the Rangers today opened firing in violation of ceasefire agreement at Jugnu Chak in RS Pura sector on the IB from their Nadir post using semi automatic weapons. The BSF didn’t retaliate.
Yesterday, the Rangers had opened firing at Nawa Pind in RS Pura sector from their Thati post targeting forward BSF pickets and the construction workers. The BSF didn’t retaliate. The firing had lasted about 20 minutes.
The BSF retaliated targeting Pakistan’s Unche Wains posts opposite RS Pura sector yesterday when the Rangers too were engaged in construction work. The Rangers fled away after the BSF retaliation leaving behind their vehicle.
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