“We were carrying out our regular clearing operations, done monthly, when we found a well-constructed tunnel”, said a senior BSF officer, adding that it was being dug out. BSF tunnel busting teams are probing if the tunnel was being operated by Pakistan based terror groups to push terrorists inside India.
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This has been the fourth cross border tunnel emanating from Pakistan side which has been detected by BSF during the past five years.
Sharma has also said that the BSF has also recorded its protest with Pakistan and that Pakistan Rangers have been asked to investigate too. Rakesh Sharma, Inspector General, BSF Jammu Frontier, said “a foxhole-like thing” was spotted by officers on Thursday morning.
“But it was blocked on our side”.
Reportedly, the 10-feet deep tunnel was found concealed under elephant grass – right below the border fence put up to prevent infiltration into Indian territory – at Jammu’s RS Pura sector near a post called Allah Mai De Kothey. It was dead end.
After a detailed examination of the tunnel was conducted, it was revealed that the underground tunnel with a diameter of 3 metre originates from the other side of the International Border (IB) in the sector. It had no exit as they could not complete it further. The Government of India in tandem with the State Governments, have adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross border infiltration, which inter-alia, includes strengthening of border management and multi-tiered deployment along the International Border, monitoring of infiltration routes, construction of border fencing including plugging the gaps through technological solutions, weapons and equipments for Security Forces, improved intelligence and operational coordination.
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He said the BSF has contacted the Pakistani Rangers and brought it to their notice, adding that they would now present the evidence before the Pakistan Rangers, requesting them to come forward for an investigation. After receiving information, the district police have stepped up patrolling and vigil near the Indo-Pak border to prevent entry of any anti-social element into Indian territory.
