Army foils attack by Pak border action team in Poonch sector; intruder dead

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 19

An attempt by Pakistani Army’s border action team to attack an Indian Army picket along the Line of Control (LoC) was foiled on Sunday night, leading to the killing of an intruder.

Four rocket-propelled grenade launchers were seized. The incident occurred metres from the LoC in the Indian territory.

The body of the intruder was recovered on Monday morning by Indian troops as both sides exchanged heavy fire across the LoC through the night.

The incident occurred around 5.25 pm on Sunday when a team of 15 Maratha Light Infantry stationed at Sarla Top in Poonch sector noticed suspicious movement 70 metres from the post in the Indian territory. The post is located ahead of the electrified security fencing running along the LoC and is less than 200 metres from the LoC.

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Sources said Indian troops opened fire at the intruding team. It is suspected that the intruding team had Pakistan Army regulars helping them to infiltrate.

The intruders fired a round from the RPG at the post leading to minor injuries to three jawans. Pakistani posts in the vicinity started firing to give cover to them. The Indian Army retaliated.

Sources said the Army had specific inputs suggesting that the Pakistan Army, along with terrorists, had concentrated in Gulpur area on its side to target Indian posts along the LoC.