Pak spy arrested as firing along LoC intensifies

Security forces today arrested a Pakistani spy while passing on vital information regarding deployment and movement of the security forces even as firing across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir continued unabated.

Security forces also asked villagers near the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir to evacuate amidst infiltration attempts by terrorists.

''Based on information received from Military Intelligence on involvement of Bodh Raj of village Changiia of Jammu district was arrested for his espionage activities and passing on vital information regarding the deployment and movement of the security forces and Army to Pakistan,'' said a communication from the security defence ministry.

Raj was arrested during a special search operation launched in Ramgarh sector of Samba, SSP, Samba, Joginder Singh, said, adding that Raj was found roaming in Jerda village close to the LoC and tried to escape after observing the movement of the police party.

''Police chased him and he was arrested,'' he said. Pak. SIM cards and map were also recovered from him.

Two Pakistani SIM cards, one map showing the deployment of the forces, two mobile phones, a memory card and Rs1,711 were recovered from his possession, the SSP said.

BSF on Friday night resorted to heavy firing and killed 7 Pakistani Rangers who were attempting to cover an infiltration attempt by terrorists. One militant was also killed in cross-border firing after a Pak sniper attack injured an Indian soldier in Hiranagar, Kathua district of Jammu.

Reports state that people are being evacuated in the area where the BSF foiled infiltration attempts by at least five terrorists.

The incident occurred on around 9:35 on Friday night, when Pakistani Rangers opened fire on Indian positions to cover an infiltration attempt near the LoC. Pak snipers injured jawan Gurnam Singh and as firing continued an attempts to move Singh to safety became difficult, This forced BSF to launch an aggressive retaliatory fire, in which seven Pak Rangers were killed, say reports.

The Kathua administration requested people living near the zero line in Bobiya area of Hiranagar to move to safer places.

"Administration has also established relief camps and assistance booths at government schools and temples to help the villages," a report in Greater Kashmir quoted officials as saying.

Pakistani tropps targeted BSF jawans as they were trying to foil an infiltration bid by terrorists across the border. At least four terrorists were spotted trying to infiltrate into the Indian border.

The condition of BSF jawan Gurnam Singh who suffered injuries, continues to be critical, BSF sources said.

Meanwhile, the death of seven Pakistani rangers could delay the process of de-escalation of tensions between the two neighbouring countries and the firing could escalate, say reports.