Move after ultras activate ‘traditional’ infiltration routes

With Pakistan-based terrorists activating the “traditional” infiltration routes in the plains of Jammu, a massive anti cross-border tunnel drive has been launched along the International Border (IB) in Kathua and Samba districts by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police and BSF.

These underground tunnels are used by terrorists to enter into the Indian territory without being noticed by the BSF personnel deployed on the border. The tunnels are built by the ultras with active support of Pakistani Rangers, especially in the monsoon season, when the area has thick foliage and their construction goes undetected by the BSF.

A 150 m cross-border tunnel with oxygen pipes was detected by the BSF in 2022 in the Samba sector. The rise in number of attacks in Jammu region indicates that the terrorists might have entered the Indian territory through the IB. Inputs with intelligence agencies also suggest that some ultras might have entered J&K from the Punjab border in Valley-bound trucks.

SOG SP Garu Ram said an area domination drive was being carried out in areas along the IB in Samba. The SOG was also keeping a contact with the locals and asking them to immediately inform them if they saw any suspicious activity, he added.

The terror attacks also indicate that the terrorists have activated the “traditional” infiltration routes after decades. These routes were used by ultras in late 90s and early 2000 to infiltrate and reach Doda, Kishtwar and even Kashmir. Later, infiltration was done mostly from the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch, with rare incidents along the IB.

“With the attempts of Pakistan’s ISI to revive terrorism in Jammu, these routes have been activated. There are many nullahs in Kathua from where infiltration becomes easy. The Hiranagar area of Kathua has many water streams which have been the infiltration route for years,” said sources in the Army intelligence.

During the peak of terrorism 20 years ago, the ultras used to take the route from Kathua-Udhampur-Doda and reached Anantnag in Kashmir.

Courtesy: The Tribune India: 12th July , 2024