Pak narco-smuggler shot dead at Poonch border, 2 others held

Jammu, April 9

The Army shot dead one intruder and captured two others alive when they tried to enter Indian territory in Poonch district of Jammu division late on Saturday. As much as 17 kg of narcotic powder, Pakistani currency, documents and eatables were also seized.

Jammu-based Army spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said, “In the search operation, three bags with 14 packets of narcotics weighing nearly 17 kg, Pakistani currency, some documents and eatables have been seized. During preliminary questioning, the two intruders who have been apprehended alive have claimed that they are residents of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and belong to Maidan Mohalla, Chanjal village.”

Around 10.15 pm on April 8, Army personnel deployed on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch sector observed suspicious movement of a group close to the fence.

“Our troops kept the movement of the infiltrating group under continuous observation. At around 2 am on Sunday — as the group approached the fence — the Army troops deployed on the fence challenged the infiltrators,” said the Army spokesperson.

The intruders started to run away but were engaged by troop fire in which one of them was shot dead. The other two managed to run into the forest area taking advantage of the thick foliage. The area was immediately cordoned off to prevent their escape across the LoC.

Search operation was launched at first light on Sunday morning wherein the body of one intruder was found at the encounter site. As the search progressed in the jungle, one intruder was apprehended alive in a wounded condition.

In the subsequent search, the third intruder was also apprehended alive.

“By their quick action, alert Indian Army troops have prevented the major infiltration bid of a narco-terror group which had the potential of disturbing peace in Poonch and Rajouri districts. The Indian Army continues to remain alert on the LoC and is fully prepared to thwart any such attempts in the future too,” the spokesperson said.