BSF guns down three Pak intruders in Ajnala sector

GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 12

The Border Security Force (BSF) today thwarted an intrusion attempt by killing three intruders during an encounter in the Ajnala border sector during the wee hours.

The intruders, in their 20s, were trying to sneak in through Phalku Nullaha, near Darya Mansoor village around 4 am, when they were noticed by the BSF personnel. When warned, they opened fire following which the BSF personnel also retaliated. However, two of their accomplices managed to flee while taking advantage of the wild elephant grass along the banks of Ravi.

The BSF recovered three mobile phones, 5 SIM cards and Rs 655 in Pakistani currency from the spot. However, no weapon was recovered as it is suspected that those who managed to flee were providing covering fire. No BSF jawan was injured in the shootout.

While sweeping the sector for other intruders, BSF troopers came across three more Pakistanis. They have been identified as Shehzaad, a resident of Lahore, Ali Raja, a resident of Narowal and Babbar Ali, a resident of Shekhupura. They claimed that they had come to attend a marriage in the village and came near the prohibited borderline inadvertently.

Arun Kumar, ADG, Western Command, said that the three were being interrogated. “It would be too early to say that they belonged to the same group of intruders who tried to infiltrate. But, the deceased and those who fled were definitely trying to intrude for a common purpose. It is difficult to say that they were smugglers or terrorists”, he said. As per an intelligence alert issued on July 8, a group of four to five Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammed militants could enter India and could again target Pathankot or Gurdaspur besides Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir.

Kumar said that today’s intrusion attempt and yesterday’s bid from Jammu sector testified that such elements were desperate to cross over to Indian side.

The intrusion attempt by four Pakistanis that was foiled on the intervening night of July 10-11 at Jammu sector testified that they were getting shelter from Pakistan Rangers under pre-planned conspiracy to enter India. “They were spotted at around 3 am with shoulder bags and rocket launchers, but returned towards the Pakistani chowki. When we approached Pakistani Rangers, instead to arresting them, they were provided fresh clothes and a vehicle to move back. It was clearly seen from this side. Now, a day after another attempt was being made from Ajnala sector today,” he said.