J-K: BSF detects 14-feet tunnel from Pakistan at Arnia sector

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Saturday detected a 14-foot- long tunnel along the Line of Control (LoC) in Arnia Sector of RS Pura which was dug from Pakistan to help terrorists infiltrate into India.

Troops of 62 battalion of the BSF detected an under-construction tunnel in the forest area of Damala nalah in Arnia sector.

The tunnel was detected when a BSF commander Mukesh was on round and he saw some people fleeing away from the border near the fencing. Curious Mukesh and other BSF jawans surveyed the area and found a 13-14 metre long tunnel.

Ram Avtar, BSF Inspector General, Jammu Frontier, told media, "A lot of food material, excavation material, sleeping bags, heaver sacks, two AK 47 magazines, and a grenade have been seized. And, it seemed that they wanted to dig the tunnel before any BSF team captured them as to cross the border under the fencing to execute yet another crime."

He further added, "The tunnel opening was from the Pakistan side and the dead end of the tunnel was between the fencing on the LoC. The distance from the zero line to the fencing was almost 13-14 meters. The zero line was 8-10 meters towards Pakistan."

He stated that this is another illegal activity of Pakistan which shows that it wanted to help terrorists infiltrate into India.

It is not possible for the civilians to evade the border authorities without the knowledge of the Pakistani Rangers, said the BSF officer.

He also said he had no knowledge of any help from the Indian side.

Ram Avtar further said that experts in tunnel digging might have been used as the detected tunnel is big enough to help many intruders infiltrate.

This is the second tunnel unearthed in 2017, after the security personnel detected one on Feb 13 this year in Ramgarh sector.

Arnia sector has been witnessing Pakistani aggression in the recent past.

On September 17, at least three civilians were injured in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Arnia sector.

On September 21, the Pakistan Army again violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Arnia Sector.

On September 23, three BSF jawans were injured after Pakistan violated ceasefire in Arnia Sector.