BSF unearths 14 feet-long tunnel dug from Pakistan’s side in Jammu

Peerzada Ashiq, TH, JAMMU,  SEPTEMBER 30, 2017:A day after India and Pakistan border forces held a Sector Commander-level meeting in Jammu, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday discovered a 14-feet-long tunnel hidden with arms in Jammu’s Arnia Sector and spotted suspicious movement of 10-12 armed Pakistani nationals.

“The digging tools, fresh dug earth and length of tunnel indicate that process of tunneling has started two to three days back with the intent to infiltrate strong group of terrorists,” said a Jammu-based spokesman.

The BSF said the troops of BSF’s 62 Battalion, during its search operation ahead of the fence, observed suspicious movement of around 10-12 armed Pakistani nationals on the Pakistan-side bank of Dhamala nulla (stream) on Saturday.

“The BSF personnel, taking all risks in thick jungle area with a number of blind mortar bombs fired from Pakistan, reached close to the area to know the nefarious design. On observing the BSF party, the Pakistani nationals ran away from the spot, leaving their huge stores,” said the Jammu-based BSF spokesman.

He said the BSF found an “unfinished tunnel of around 12-14 feet in length, approximately three feet in height and 2½ feet in width on the slope of bank of Indian side of Dhamalla nulla ahead of B.S. fence on the International Border (IB)”.

Two AK-47 Magazine, one hand-grenade, 7.62 bore ammunition, magazine pouch, batteries, lamps, US-made compass, ropes, sleeping bags, gas stove, digging tools and haversacks were found near the tunnel. Eatables, including apples, chicken, were also found, said the BSF.

The BSF said it was receiving “regular inputs about the movement of anti-national elements across the border”. “The BSF was suspecting militant activities in festive season to inflict a blow to peace and tranquility in Jammu region,” said the BSF spokesman.

Arnia Sector witnessed heavy cross-border firing and shelling from Pakistan from September 13 to 17. On September 30, Pakistani Rangers held a Sector Commander-level meeting with the BSF in their area opposite Border Outpost Octroi on the International Border “to resolve issues of cross-border firing and border management amicably”.

“Once again the nefarious design of Pakistan Rangers who held friendly hand-shake and call for ceasefire was foiled in Arnia Sector,” said the BSF.

It’s the second tunnel from Pakistan into India that BSF has unearthed this year. On February 12, a similar tunnel was spotted in Ramgarh Sector. Four such attempts have been foiled so far this year by the BSF.