Tension escalates along LoC after infiltration bid, Army on high alert

Security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu division are on high alert following recent infiltration attempts by Pakistan-based militants, escalating tension along the sensitive border.In a tragic incident on Friday night, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed while foiling an infiltration bid in the Keri Battal sector of Akhnoor. The movement of terrorists was detected through a thermal imaging device after which an anti-infiltration operation was launched leading to death of Subedar Kuldeep Chand of 9 Punjab.

The incident had come after a brigade commander-level flag meeting between Indian and Pakistani Armies in Poonch on Thursday.

It has been learnt that the infiltration bid was felicitated by Pakistani Army who targeted the Indian posts from small arms. While the infiltration was thwarted, ceasefire violation was also retaliated by the Indian side. Since then, the situation on the border is said to be tensed as the Army had held a flag meeting with the Pakistani side on Thursday.

Security measures have been significantly intensified, particularly in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jammu and Kashmir on April 19, a move that is likely to irritate many quarters in Pakistan.

Tensions had already been rising along the LoC. On April 1, Pakistani troops made a failed attempt to intrude into the Indian side in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district. That intrusion was also foiled by alert Indian troops, but it added to growing concerns within the security establishment.

Sources in intelligence informed that in the recent past, there have been multiple attempts by the Pakistan based terrorists to sneak into this side of the border. “This is either due to the fact that many terrorists have been eliminated in different operations in J&K or the Pakistan is trying to again create an atmosphere of fear by sending its mercenaries. However the troops are well prepared and many terrorists have been eliminated during their attempt to enter through LoC,” said the sources.

Senior officials of Army’s 16 Corps have also visited the LoC in different sectors to review the operational preparedness of the troops. Guidelines have been issued to eliminate the ultras at the LoC when the try to infiltrate. Modern gadgets have been installed at the borders to detect any movement close to the border fence.