SAMBA: Amid increased security in the Union territory ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit next week, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police jointly searched the Samba district on Saturday for any potential cross-border tunnel along the International Border, according to officials. In the last few decades, security authorities in the Samba, Kathua, and Jammu districts along the International Border with Pakistan have discovered approximately twelve cross-border tunnels that were used to smuggle guns, drugs, and terrorists across the border. Recently, the police declared that anyone who assists in finding these tunnels used by “anti-national elements” would receive a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.On February 20, Modi will be in Jammu to officially launch and lay the groundwork for 209 projects totaling Rs 3,161 crore. Additionally, he will speak at a public gathering at Jammu’s Maulana Azad Stadium. According to the officials, the BSF and the police together carried out a two-hour anti-tunnelling operation in the Ramgarh area of the Samba district as part of the increased security measures in anticipation of Modi’s visit. Around 9.45 am, the operation began, and according to search teams, nothing unusual was discovered on the ground. According to the officials, BSF forces stationed at the IB and police officers staffing the border posts have been placed on high alert, particularly in light of the recent ceasefire breach by Pakistan Rangers. They have also been instructed to keep a close eye out for any suspicious activity coming from the other side of the border. In addition to the border areas along the IB, security measures have been strengthened along the hinterland and the Line of Control (LoC) to thwart any attempt by terrorists to carry out an attack, the officials said. They added that security forces have increased area dominance, checking, and patrolling in sensitive areas to keep the peace. Indian border guards retaliated after Pakistan Rangers broke the truce on Wednesday night by firing on a BSF post at Makwal along the IB in the R S Pura sector. After 25 minutes of cross-border gunfire, the BSF strongly protested the unwarranted firing with their counterparts. In the previous six days, Pakistani drones were fired upon three times by army personnel stationed to guard the Line of Control.
