Sandeep Bhat/Atul Sharma Early Times Report
Jammu, Sept 8: While security agencies continue to question the Pakistani national arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) along the International Border (IB) in the R.S. Pura sector, it is believed that the intruder was deputed to assess the post-flood situation on the border, particularly the condition of fencing. Sources indicated that terrorists positioned across the border have been making desperate attempts to infiltrate this side following the recent floods. As reported earlier, flash floods caused significant damage to the border infrastructure, including fencing and outposts, along the IB in Jammu, Samba, and Kathua districts. Initial reports suggest that the arrested intruder attempted to feign mental illness, but the full truth is expected to emerge after thorough interrogation. The BSF’s alert troopers intercepted the intruder as he tried to cross into Indian territory from the R.S. Pura sector. According to reports, during the intervening night of September 7 and 8, BSF personnel noticed suspicious movement when the Pakistani national aggressively approached the border fence in Suchetgarh tehsil of Jammu district. Despite being warned, the intruder ignored the orders to stop. Sensing a security threat, BSF personnel fired at him and subsequently apprehended him. During questioning, the intruder identified himself as Siraaj Khan, son of Zahid Khan from village 27 Chak, tehsil Bhalwal, district Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan. A search conducted on the intruder led to the recovery of Pakistani currency. He has since been handed over to local police for further investigation. Following the arrest, BSF officers lodged a formal protest with the Pakistani Rangers, accusing them of allowing the intruder to cross into Indian territory. While the interrogation continues, sources believe that the intruder’s assignment was to survey the border area, especially after reports of fencing damage caused by recent flooding. This incident comes in the wake of a similar infiltration attempt earlier on August 11, when a Pakistani intruder was killed by BSF fire while trying to cross into Kathua district from across the IB. Officials reported that BSF personnel had spotted multiple intruders attempting to cross between the Chandwan and Kothey border outposts in the Hiranagar sector and challenged them to halt. The intruders ignored repeated warnings, prompting the BSF to open fire, injuring one of them. The injured intruder was immediately arrested and taken to a hospital for treatment. He was later referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur, for specialized care, but he succumbed to his injuries. |