JAMMU, Feb 13: Three bodies of suspected infiltrators are reportedly lying on Pakistan side of the Line of Control (LoC) opposite Tarkundi in Mendhar sector of Poonch district and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and an anti-tank mine which they were trying to plant on Indian side of the fencing to cause casualties have been recovered.However, there was no official confirmation of the incident.
Army in Delhi said the bilateral ceasefire on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir continues to be observed as per the understanding between the Armies of India and Pakistan.
India and Pakistan had reached ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021 for both LoC and International Border. Barring few incidents, the ceasefire has been holding since then with no major incident of cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir and people on LoC as well as IB cultivating their crops right up to the Zero Line.
Meanwhile, reports said, three bodies of suspected infiltrators are lying on Pakistan side of LoC opposite Tarkundi area of Mendhar sector in Poonch district. The slain persons are believed to be terrorists who were trying to infiltrate into the Indian side with a plan to plant an IED to cause casualties of the Army. They were reportedly killed yesterday afternoon.
Yesterday, Pakistan army suffered heavy casualties across LoC in Mendhar sector in the Indian Army retaliation to ceasefire violation in which five enemy troopers were believed dead.
An IED and an anti-tank mine which the terrorists were bringing with them to plant was seen lying close to bodies of the infiltrators.
Besides three clay more mines, three anti-personnel mines and other items were also seized.
Sources said an alert has been sounded in the areas close to LoC and IB in Jammu following inputs that the terrorists planned to strike targeting sensitive installations. However, no movement of the terrorists has been observed so far.
Skirmishes on LoC during past one week are being viewed seriously as there were reports that Pakistan army was trying to push infiltrators into the Indian territory along with consignment of arms and explosives to cause terror attacks.
A statement issued by the Indian Army in New Delhi and circulated by a news agency said: “The ceasefire on the LoC is intact and continues to be observed as per the understanding between both the armies (of India and Pakistan). Tension due to some stray incidents of cross LoC firing and a suspected IED blast on one of our ptls on the LoC is being dealt with through the established mechanism. No exchange of fire of heavy-caliber weapons has taken place. Minor incidents are not unprecedented along the LoC. Concerns have been raised to the Pakistan Army at the appropriate level.”
“The situation remains stable and being closely monitored. Indian Army maintains high state of alertness and is dominating the LoC,” the statement further read.
Union Home Minister has reviewed security situation of Jammu and Kashmir in three separate meetings held in New Delhi in the past 10 days with top officials of MHA, Army, paramilitary forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police, civil administration and Intelligence agencies from both Centre and the Union Territory.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has also held two consecutive meetings to review security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir during last two days. He reviewed security scenario in Kashmir division yesterday and in Jammu division today.
Sources said presence of terrorists in upper reaches of some districts of the Jammu region remained a cause of concern for security agencies and a strategy is being formulated to neutralize them.
