Army shoots down Pakistani intruder at Indo-Pak border

NEW DELHI: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Wednesday said it neutralised an intruder after observing "a suspicious movement across the IB (

International Border

)".
The army said the intruder was shot as he kept moving even after the alert troops challenged him.
"At pre-dawn today, BSF troops observed a suspicious movement across the IB (International Border) in

BOP Tashpatan

, Pathankot border area & an intruder was observed crossing the IB; he was challenged by the alert troops but paid no heed & kept on moving; BSF troops sensing threat neutralised the intruder," the BSF told news agency ANI.
The border force said that the "identity and motive of the intruder are being ascertained".

"Vigilant BSF troops thwarted an

infiltration attempt

. Strong protest will be lodged with Pak Rangers," it said.
This comes a day after the Indian Army opened a retaliatory firing at the Pakistani troops across the Line of Control (LoC).
The incident occurred in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch sector at about 11 am.
On February 8, terrorists fired at a patrol from a forested area across LoC in Keri sector of Rajouri, prompting a retaliatory response from Indian soldiers. In the intervening night of February 4 and 5, a landmine explosion in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district caused casualties among terrorists attempting to cross LoC.
J&K saw a spate of terrorist attacks between May and December last year, prompting heightened counteroffensives by

security forces

.
More than 30 terrorists were eliminated before the onset of the region's harsh winter. Security forces also recorded 25 fatalities during this period — 19 in Jammu and six in Kashmir.