The attack on the Indian border outpost in Poonch sector along the Line of Control was a “well planned and executed operation’’ carried out jointly by regulars of the Pakistan Army and militants from Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The Intelligence Bureau in its comprehensive report given to the government on the savage attack has also stated that it is suspected that at least six militants managed to successfully sneak into Indian territory following the attack.
A massive combing operation is currently going on in thick jungles of Poonch region to hunt them down.
Indian intelligence agencies suspect the involvement of Pakistan Army’s Mujahideen Regiment in the incident.
According to the report the attack was carried out by at least 18 to 20 persons who came nearly 450 meters inside Indian territory with the sole intention of attacking the Salar outpost close to the LoC.
Intelligence agencies have also informed the government that Lashkar-e-Tayyaba militants had carried out a detailed recee of the Salar outpost and reported the activities of Indian jawans there to officers of the Pakistan Army. The planning of the entire operation, it is suspected, went on for about 10 days following which the attack was carried out.
“Since it was raining heavily in the Poonch sector on Monday night the visibility was extremely low.”
“This added to the advantage of the attackers and Indian soldiers were caught completely unawares,’’ a senior intelligence official said.
The IB had issued a specific advisory to the defence forces on border guarding duties in Jammu and Kashmir to be on high alert amid credible inputs that militant outfits, with help from Pakistan Army, were planning to target Indian security outposts.
Security personnel of duty along the border were issued instructions to be alert and move around in bigger contingents.
“The incident, in terms of planning and execution, was very similar to the attack in Mandhar sector in January except that this time around they didn’t mutilate bodies of Indian soldiers. Perhaps the Pak Army wanted to send out a signal that we can strike at will and at the same time at the official level deny its involvement,’’ a senior home ministry official remarked.
Founder of LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed has been instigating his cadres to attack Indian soldiers along the LoC and International Border.
Thus, his role in the entire operation both in both Mandhar and Poonch sector is not being discounted. Meanwhile, security along the LoC and international border in J&K has been out at an all time high alert.