A 72-year-old man from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was apprehended after he illegally crossed into Indian territory along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday.
Identified as Munir Hussain, a resident of Battal village in PoK, the elderly man was taken into custody on Tuesday evening at Nangi Takarai forward area near Ghora post in the Mankote sector of Mendhar sub-division, according to officials.
An Army patrol spotted Hussain, who was unarmed, moving into Indian territory. When challenged, he attempted to flee but was apprehended. No incriminating material was found on him, the officials said.
Preliminary questioning suggests that Hussain might have crossed the LoC inadvertently, they added.
On May 2, 2024, security forces shot dead an intruder along the International Border in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The army spokesperson had said, that the said intruder ignored multiple warnings given by the security forces.
As the snow on the mountains begins to melt, infiltration attempts increase. Each year, several intruders are killed by security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier this week, Director General of Police RR Swain stated, "There are at least 70 terrorists from PoK waiting to cross over to this side of the border."
He added that, with local recruit numbers down by 20-25, Pakistan is making desperate attempts to infiltrate more terrorists this year.
The army and other security agencies are already facing challenges tracking down terrorists in Poonch and Rajouri, most of whom are believed to be foreign (Pakistani) operatives.
Several reports indicate that two groups of terrorists operating in the Rajouri-Poonch forests are responsible for multiple attacks on security forces, including the Poonch attack and the IAF convoy ambush, which collectively resulted in the deaths of five security personnel and one village defence guard.
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