Srinagar/Jammu, Aug 25: Security forces foiled an infiltration attempt in the Torna area of Uri sector on Monday morning, averting what could have been a fresh bid by militants to cross into this side of the Line of Control. The alert troops engaged the suspected infiltrators in a brief exchange of fire before launching a massive search operation across the rugged terrain. Reinforcements have been rushed to the spot and the area remains under tight security cordon while searches continue.
The incident comes close on the heels of fresh aerial surveillance activity detected along the border in Poonch district. According to officials, around half-a-dozen drones from across the border were sighted hovering over forward posts in the Mendhar sector on Sunday night. The unmanned aerial vehicles were picked up around Balakote, Langote and Gursai nallah at approximately 9.15 pm. Witnesses said the drones, flying at considerable height, turned back to the Pakistani side within minutes.
Security forces immediately tightened the grid and launched a day-long sweep of the suspected drop zones with the first light on Monday. Although no material was recovered, the searches are aimed at ruling out any possibility of weapons or narcotics being air-dropped, a tactic that has troubled border security for the past two years.
Officials maintain that the use of drones by Pakistan-based handlers for smuggling arms, ammunition and narcotics has added a new layer of challenge to border management. In response to repeated incidents, police have announced a cash reward of three lakh rupees for any information leading to the detection of drones and recovery of contraband or weapon consignments.
Monday’s developments underline the heightened alert along the LoC where infiltration attempts and cross-border drone activity continue to test the vigilance of security forces deployed in forward areas.
