Intruder shot dead by BSF along Indo-Pak border in Pathankot

Gurdaspur (Punjab): A suspected intruder was shot dead early Thursday by BSF along the Indo-Pak border in Pathankot where the force is on high alert following the January 2 terror attack on air force base.

Officials said the Border Security Force team deployed along the International Border (IB) saw suspicious movement of at least three infiltrators near the Bamiyal area early morning.

In order to thwart a bid to breach the border, the troops fired.

"One intruder has been killed while two others fled back from the IB. The area where the incident took place is called Taash and is in Gurdaspur sector near Bamiyal in Pathankot," they said.

Incidentally, Bamiyal is the same area from where it is widely suspected that the terrorists from Pakistan who perpetrated the IAF base attack in Pathankot had sneaked into the country.

Initial reports said the incident occurred last night but officers on ground informed that it has occurred around 6 a.m, they said.

The BSF has launched a search in the area to retrieve the body but heavy fog and low visibility is hampering the operation, the officials said.

The latest action was by a trooper of the 132nd BSF battalion.

Gurdaspur Deputy Inspector General (DIG) N K Mishra and Commandant of the 132nd battalion deployed in the area S S Dabas were recently transferred by the BSF and a Court of Inquiry ordered to look for any lapses that could have led to the Pathankot attack in which seven security personnel were killed.