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| Pak targets LoC fencing with mortars to push in militants | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Jan 17: Visibly frustrated by at least the 10 failed infiltration bids on the International Border (IB) in the first fortnight of the New Year 2010, Pakistan fired dozens of mortars in Krishna Ghati (KG) sector of Poonch to blow up fencing to make way for militants.
The mortars, however, exploded in noman's land in the KG's border Chhajja Maan, Ghoda and Goi areas without causing any harm to the fencing and life and property of army.
Though army hesitated to make any comment on the incident, official sources confirmed that Pak army fired dozens of mortars Friday night.
Some mortars were fired on Saturday night too. Sources said fencing seemed to be their only target as most of the mortars fell and exploded in its close vicinity.
Fire tracers, usually fired at night to locate the enemy, were also fired by them. These landed amidst dense forests, which extend on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC), setting them on fire.
Over 1.5 km forest stretch was affected by the flames, the sources added.
Sources said smoke could be seen billowing from Maan, Ghodi and Goi areas till late this evening.
Fencing and landmines, which are the main hurdle for the infiltrating groups of militants, have been on the Pak target this year. As per its new strategy, Pak had set ablaze forests on its side last month and on January 6 last. When the fire had spread to this side of the LoC, a large area was de-mined as scores of mines had exploded due to flames.
Pakistan has been adopting different methods to blow up fencing. A week ago, two IEDs were tied by infiltrators with the fencing pillars in Kanhachak sector on the IB. Though the fencing was damaged in the IED blasts, the desired passage was not made for infiltrators to walk into the Indian territory.
Frustrated by its repeated failures, Pak army Friday night fired mortars to uproot fencing. They failed in their this attempt too as the mortars exploded without causing any harm.
Sources said the firing of mortars by Pakistan showed how desperate it was to push militants into the Indian Territory to keep the pot boiling in the state.
Troops had been put on extra alert to foil any infiltration bid by the Pak-based militants, the sources added.
Sources said militants were likely to make more forced intrusion attempts on the eve of Republic Day to make a big strike in the state.
Apart from troops on borders, police, which was on the second line of defence, was also put on extra alert, the sources added.
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