Pathankot: In a major success for the security forces, troops of the Border Security Force (BSF) foiled an intrusion bid along the international border (IB) in Punjab's Pathankot. A Pakistani intruder was shot dead by BSF troops.

The incident took place at pre-dawn on Wednesday when security personnel observed a suspicious movement along the international border at border outpost (BOP) Tashpatan in 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 identity & motive of the intruder are being ascertained. Vigilant BSF troops thwarted an infiltration attempt," the BSF said.

BSF's Statement:

The BSF will lodge a strong protest with Pakistani Rangers.

Flag Meeting Held Between Officers Of Indian And Pakistani Armies Last Week:

Last week,  India and Pakistan held a flag meeting along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district in an effort to ease tension after several recent incidents of cross-border firing and an IED attack, official sources said as reported by PTI. The sources said the brigade-commander level flag meeting took place in the Chakkan-Da-Bagh crossing point area with both sides highlighting the need to maintain peace along the borders.

The ceasefire violations along the borders of Jammu and Kashmir have been rare since the two countries renewed an agreement on February 25, 2021.

Two Indian Army personnel, including a captain, were killed and another injured in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack carried out by suspected terrorists in the Akhnoor sector of the Jammu region on February 11.

Two army personnel were also injured in separate incidents of small arms firing from across the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts on February 10 and 14, while two more army personnel were injured in separate landmine explosions in Poonch in the past week.

The extent of damage on the Pakistan side in the retaliatory action was not known, but the officials said the enemy forces also suffered “heavy casualties”.