Alert after breach in J&K border fence

JAMMU: Taking advantage of dense fog, terrorists from across the border, for the first time, cut a part of the barbed-wire fence along Abdullian post in RS Pura early Saturday in an attempt to push infiltrators into the Indian territory. Security forces, however, have ruled out any infiltration.

‘‘There are less chances of militants sneaking into this side as there is another fence 500 meters behind the zero line which is intact,’’ said a senior BSF officer, adding, ‘‘no foot-prints have been seen.’’

The incident ahead of Republic Day prompted authorities to sound a high alert. ‘‘Troops have been asked to check the fence every three to four hours, set up ambushes at vulnerable places, use electronic surveillance and manual patrolling round the clock,’’ the BSF officer said.

Sources said the terrorists had cut nine wires on the Pakistan side and 10 on this side between Pillar Nos. 851 and 852 to facilitate infiltration. A BSF patrol party found that the fence has been cut. BSF, CRPF, police and Army soon launched combing operation along the border belt.

There have been 13 infiltration bids and four ceasefire violations along the border this month alone. There were 433 infiltration attempts in 2009 — 91 more than in 2008. Meanwhile, terrorists managed to escape after firing at security forces in Mendhar in Poonch district, according to SSP Poonch Manmohan Singh.