Infiltration bid foiled along LoC ahead of celebrations

Officers of the Indian and Pakistani armies may have followed a convention of exchanging sweet boxes on two consecutive days,marking Independence day celebrations, on both sides of the line of control, but tension prevailed in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch following fresh reports of foiled infiltration bid in Naushera sector on Wednesday.

One Indian jawan received injuries after alert Indian troops challenged the movement of heavily armed intruders along the line of control in Naushera sector.

According to Defence PRO in Jammu, "Pakistan army had  provided cover fire to assist intruders sneak inside the Indian territory when they were challenged by the Indian troops early morning around 5.15 a.m".

In the ensuing firefight one army personnel received injuries and was evacuated for further medical treatment, Defence PRO added. Following this incident the simple ceremony of exchanging sweet boxes lasted barely five minutes at Chakkan-da-bagh in Poonch on Wednesday.  "The gates were opened at 11.28 a.m and closed down at 11.33 a.m after exchanging sweet boxes", Defence PRO said in a written statement.

The Indian side was represented by Major S Suresh, and six others while Pakistan army was represented by  Captain Akbar. Ironically, even on Tuesday when sweet boxes were exchanged between the officers of two neighbouring armies at Tata Pani in Mendhar the ceremony was conducted in the presence of gun totting commandos.

The gesture clearly indicated the prevailing mood on both sides of the line of control. 

In the wake of prevailing security situation the jawans of the Indian army have been kept in a state of high alert across the LoC. "The security forces are well prepared to thwart any nefarious designs of Pakistan sponsored terrorists" Defence PRO said .

Meanwhile, Independence day celebrations passed off peacefully across Jammu province. Advisor to Governor and former chief secretary BB Vyas unfurled National flag at Mini-stadium in Jammu.

At other district headquarters district development commissioners took salute of impressive parades after flag hoisting.

In Poonch army authorities organised flag hoisting events in forward areas to instil confidence among the local population. A big event was organised after a gap of four years in Degwar, falling in the direct line of fire of  Pakistan army. BJP MLA and founder of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan (DSS),  Lal Singh had organised parallel Independence day celebrations in Jammu.