Terrorists thrice seen near International Border: BSF

The BSF Sunday said it had thrice foiled Pakistan's attempts to sneak terrorists into India on the India-Pakistan International Border in Jammu and Kashmir in the past few weeks.

The Border Security Force (BSF) said the people seen on the International Border were in civilian dress as Pakistan is desperate to push militants into India.

BSF Director General D.K. Pathak said: "The number of people spotted on the International Border is not clear but we presume they were terrorists... why will a civilian venture on the border late at night with weapons?"

A BSF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IANS: "With the help of our hand-held thermal imaging gadgets, we have spotted a few armed people in civil dress on at least three occasions moving very close to the International Border at night."

Regarding escalation in ceasefire violations along the International Border, Pathak said the BSF was giving a befitting reply to the Pakistani firing since the home ministry has given clear instructions of retaliatory action.

"One of the main reasons for the increase in unprovoked firings from Pakistan looks to facilitate infiltration (of militants). Last year too, Pakistan did so during the same time," the BSF chief said.

Pathak said as many as 25 BSF posts are under intense firing of Pakistani forces while the series of these violations began Aug 16.

"There were a series of ceasefire violations few days prior to Aug 16 also," he said.