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In a new development on the International Border, two major intrusions have been reported by Pakistani Rangers alongwith local people from forward villages of Devigarh and Jouran in RS Pura sectors early today. The intruders stayed in Indian side for atleast two hours and decamped with atleast 30 trees and a water pump set. Local people put the number of trees at 65.
BSF sources were tight-lipped over the intrusions. However, authoritative sources confirmed infiltrations by Rangers alongwith people at both the places.
Sources said Pakistani Rangers and people crossed the border and entered into Indian side in Devipur village around 0300 hours today. They cut atleast 30 trees and took them across the border.
Local people told concerned police officials this morning that Pakistani people cut 65 trees under protection of Rangers. They continued their operation for two hours before fleeing back to Pakistan, people said, adding the BSF failed to detect such a big mischief by enemy.
Cutting of trees has exposed people's houses to enemy firing. Trees were earlier serving as cover for the local people from Rangers unprovoked firing. "Main aim of Rangers behind cutting the trees appeared to know the exact position of border fencing on Indian territory", the sources said.
Simultaneously, the Rangers intruded into Jouran village in RS Pura sector and took away a water pump set, being used by local Gujjar population.
Sources said people in both Devigarh and Jouran villages today held a protest demonstration in their villages against intrusions by Pakistani Rangers, which was a new phenomenon. People also met local police officials in RS Pura and demanded protection to their villages.
"Rangers intrusions into Indian side, cutting of trees and taking them to Pakistan has badly exposed security arrangements taken by BSF on the border. Moreover, the infiltration was reported at a time when BSF claimed that it was maintaining a high alert to check intrusions by Pakistani saboteurs", the sources pointed out.
Meanwhile, Pakistan army tonight opened heavy firing on forward positions in Samba sector causing serious injuries to a teen-aged boy. Heavy firing was also reported from several other forward areas on the International Border.
A 10th class student Bunty Sharma son of Krishan Lal Sharma was hit by a bullet fired by Pakistan army at Benglard bus stand in Samba sector at about 2000 hours today. Injured has been admitted to hospital. He sustained a gun shot on his right leg.
Pak firing was totally unprovoked, official sources said, adding Indian side replied the firing. Exchange of firing stopped after about one hour.
Sudden firing by Pakistan army created panic in Benglard and adjoining villages of Samba. People deserted their shops and fields and took shelter in houses. A couple of parked buses were also hit with bullets and got damaged.
Several shells landed in Benglard bus stand and other public places.
Heavy firing by Pakistan army was also reported from Old and New Kanachak, Golpatan, Mangu Chak, Kachwal and Regal in Hiranagar. Intermittent exchange of firing between Indo-Pak troops was also reported from about half a dozen posts in Akhnoor sector and Pargwal island. However, there was no report of any casualty on Indian side at these places. Casualty, if any, on the other side couldn't be ascertained immediately.
Pakistan firing was aimed at interrupting
fencing work as well as pushing trained militants into Indian side, the
sources said, adding that army and BSF besides Border Police was maintaining
a strict vigil on the border to foil Pakistani designs.
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