Srinagar: A Pakistani terrorist was captured and another killed last evening when the Army stopped an infiltration attempt in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri along the Line of Control, sources say. This was the third infiltration attempt in the past week and the first time in recent years that a Pakistani terrorist has been caught while trying to cross into India.
Taking advantage of dark night, uneven ground, bad weather and thick undergrowth, Pakistan harboured terrorist group Lashkar-e-Toiba attempted to infiltrate six terrorists from the general area of Pakistani post Jabri.
According to Major General Virendra Vats, GOC, 19 Infantry Division, "This infiltration attempt was made in the area of Salamabad nallah. It's the same area through which we've had a history of infiltration in 2016, that's when a suicide attack at Uri Garrison took place."
During the infiltration attempt, while two terrorists were crossing the LC, own patrolling party established contact with them. Taking advantage of the thick undergrowth, four terrorists ran back towards the POK side of LC while the remaining two terrorists managed to enter into their own area.
Additional forces were inducted and multiple patrols were launched in the suspected areas and the getaway routes were blocked. On the night of 25 September, contact was again established by one such patrol with the terrorists approximately 800 meters inside the LC. Eventually, by afternoon of 26 September, one Pakistani terrorist Atiq ur Rehman (33) belonging to Punjab (Pakistan) was eliminated.
The second Pakistani terrorist, named Ali Babar Patra from Okara Punjab (Pakistan), appealed to surrender and was captured alive without causing any harm to him.
Indian Army does not differentiate between local terrorist or Pakistani terrorist, if the terrorist is willing to surrender.
The route taken by the terrorists to infiltrate was from Sawai Nala Terrorist Camp to Hallan Shumali Launch pad to Jabri, leading into Salamabad Nala. It is pertinent to mention here that, it was along Salamabad Nala through which terrorists infiltrated in 2016 with the help of the Pakistan Army and carried out the suicide attack on Uri Garrison.
The surrendered terrorist has revealed that his group of six terrorists primarily belonged to Pakistani Punjab. The surrendered terrorist belongs to Dipalpur in Dist Okara. He was misguided and lured into joining LeT due to poverty, having lost his father early. His family in Dipalpur consists of his widowed mother and an adopted sister. The family belongs to lower class barely managing to make both ends meet.
The false and fake narratives of ‘Islam being in danger’ and perceived killing including the atrocities being committed against the Muslims in Kashmir was the main theme of indoctrination during the training. Possibly, the surrendered Pakistan national was coerced and lured into joining the terrorists' ranks due to his poor financial condition. Apparently, his appeal for surrender, as soon as his mate was killed, highlights that he was not convinced about the Jihad narrative.
Kashmir Valley is returning to peace, much to the discomfort of Pakistan and its proxies. The infiltration bids indicate Pakistan’s desperate attempts to sustain cross-border terrorism and bring in weapons to orchestrate violent incidents in the valley by hiring mercenaries from Pakistani hinterland of Punjab.
Pakistan Army’s connivance in abetting infiltration continues, as it is difficult to attempt crossing the Line of Control without the active support of local Pakistan military commanders. As per the surrendered Pakistan national, the group of six terrorists crossed the LC fence in the shadow of forward Pakistani post Jabri.
All ranks of the Chinar Corps are committed to ensuring peace and stability in the Kashmir Valley.
