The Border Security Force (BSF) on Tuesday said that it responded to Pakistan's unprovoked firing, drone attacks, and attempted infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) between May 8 and 10, and that it targeted terror launch pads across the border.
Addressing a joint press conference, BSF IG Jammu Shashank Anand, said inputs indicate that terrorists are returning to their camps and attempting infiltration from across the border. He added that security forces will remain alert along the IB and LoC and will foil every attempt to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
IG Anand further said that Pakistan resorted to unprovoked firing near the Akhnoor sector on May 9. “Between May 9 and 10, heavy firing was reported along the Akhnoor border belt, to which the BSF responded by targeting the Looni terror launch pad.”
On Operation Sindoor, he said women personnel were deployed at forward posts in Jammu and Kashmir and played an equal role in the operation. “Assistant Commandant Neha Bhandari commanded one such post, while constables Manjit Kaur, Malkit Kaur, Jyoti, Sampa, Swapna, and others were stationed along the border”.
He also confirmed deaths of BSF sub-inspector Mohammad Imtiyaz, constable Deepak Kumar, and Indian Army Naik Sunil Kumar in a drone attack.
He added that two BSF posts will be named after the fallen personnel, and one will be named ‘Sindoor’.
BSF DIG RS Pura Sector, Chiter Pal said that on May 9, Pakistan initiated firing using flat trajectory weapons and mortars, targeting several BSF posts and also civilian village of Abdullian near the border. He said the BSF responded strongly, returning fire effectively.
“Once the intensity of direct firing reduced, Pakistan increased drone activity in the area. In retaliation, BSF targeted and destroyed the Mastpur terror launch pad located across the border, which was being used to facilitate terrorist movement and attacks.”
BSF DIG Sunderbani Sector, Varinder Dutta, said that on May 8, intelligence inputs confirmed the presence of around 18 to 20 terrorists at Pakistan’s Looni launch pad, positioned near the border.
“Acting swiftly on this information, the BSF launched a targeted strike at the site. The attack inflicted heavy casualties and disrupted the group’s plans to infiltrate into Indian territory,” he said.
BSF DIG SS Mand said that surveillance systems detected movement of approximately 40 to 50 individuals approaching the border on May 8. “Assessing a potential infiltration attempt, BSF units launched preemptive strikes in the area. In response, Pakistan began firing on BSF Border outposts,”
He said the BSF retaliated with equal force, and according to their inputs, the action caused significant damage to the terrorist group, their local supporters, Pakistani Rangers, and officers who were present in the vicinity of the launch pad