Lodged protest with Pak over tunnel issue: BSF

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday said it has lodged a protest with Pakistan over a cross-border tunnel along the international border in the RS Pura sector of Jammu district and passed on the proof in this regard to them.

“Yes, obviously we have lodged a protest with Pakistan. We have asked them to take up an investigation (into the matter). We also gave them proof...and expect that they will take an action,” Inspector General of BSF, Jammu Frontier, Rakesh Sharma said.

“We have told them that this has happened in front of your post and it cannot be that you are not aware of it and if you are, please take action,” he said, when asked whether the Pakistan Rangers were involved in the construction of the tunnel.

The BSF had on Thursday found the 30-metre-long tunnel 10 feet below the ground. This is the fourth tunnel unearthed by the force in the region since 2012. “The tunnel even bypassed the three-tier fencing beneath the agriculture field and was designed exclusively for infiltration. A big terrorist attack was being planned...,” Sharma said. He said it was not possible to acertain the exact length of the tunnel on the Pakistan side. “It would be around 200 to 300 meters as it seems to have its entry point near Pakistan’s Afzal Post, located 300 meters from the Indian side,” he said.

Asked if the BSF feared construction of more cross-border tunnels along the IB to facilitate infiltration, he said: “This is not the first act of such type from Pakistan side. We are taking adequate measures to detect and prevent the construction of such tunnels.”

Also, DG BSF KK Sharma and DGP of J&K K Rajendra Kumar on Friday flew into Jammu to inspect the area. Kumar said: “A major infiltration bid has been foiled by BSF and security forces. I compliment my brothers in the force...in the BSF. They have done a wonderful job.”