Rise in infiltration attempts from Pakistan, claims BSF

Terrorists from the Pakistan side of the border are making “desperate“ and “daring“ infiltration bids, which has risen to 62 so far this year compared with 48 such last year, BSF chief DK Pathak said on Friday.

Talking to reporters here ahead of the BSF’s 50th raising day, he said there has been a “substantial increase“ in cross-border firing along the Western frontier, which was largely aimed at pushing the terrorists inside the country.

The BSF chief put the number of infiltration attempts into the country at 62 so far this year along the international border, which stretches from Akhnoor in Jammu region to the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. The figures for last year stood at 48.

Though Pathak claimed that the number of successful infiltration attempts stood at zero, the BSF has had embarrassing moments this year when suicide squads of terror groups managed to enter Kathua region in Jammu as well as Gurdaspur in Punjab and killed civilians and policemen.

On March 20, two terrorists entered through Kathua border and stormed into a police station, killing three policemen and two civilians. The next day an abortive attempt was made by two other militants to storm an Army camp.

On July 27, Punjab witnessed a terror attack after eight years when three terrorists entered through Gurudaspur area and stormed into a police station, killing four policemen, including a Superintendent of Police, and three civilians.

Pathak, heading a 2.5- lakh personnel strong force, expressed “concern” over the reports of collaboration between the dreaded terror group ISIS and other military organisations but maintained that his men were taking all possible steps to thwart their nefarious designs. 

“We find desperation on their part as they are making daring bids to cross over but somehow they have not been successful,” he said.

Pathak said whatever challenges were thrown to “us by our Western neighbour” were retaliated effectively and none of their nefarious designs or mischievous adventure were allowed to succeed.

“There has been a substantial increase in cross-border firings and attempts to infiltrate during such incidents. The purpose of cross-border firing was to infiltrate,” he said.

To a question on reported collaboration between ISIS and other militant outfits, the Director General of BSF said: “All I can say is that these are the issues that are a matter of concern. Developments are being watched very closely and counter measures are being taken.” 

He added that world over agencies are cautious. “We are also cautious. We are doing all what is possible. We are seized of the threat and whatever is required to be done to counter this threat, we are doing it,” Pathak said.

He said after the recent DG-level talk between India and Pakistan, there have been cross-border firings on three occasions.