NEW DELHI: In a major infiltration attempt foiled along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, a Pakistani national working as a terrorist guide was arrested by the army while trying to lead a group of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists into Indian territory, officials told news agency PTI on Monday.Arif was apprehended near the Hajura post in the Gambhir area under the Army’s Ace of Spades division on Sunday afternoon.Officials said Arif, in his late 20s, was leading four JeM terrorists when alert Indian troops, maintaining surveillance in the rugged terrain, spotted suspicious movement along the LoC. As soldiers moved in, Arif was “tactfully captured”, while the other four jumped off a steep cliff and retreated into Pakistani territory, likely with injuries.“They landed in ‘No Man’s Land’ and returned to Pakistani side under the cover of thick foliage and adverse weather conditions,” an official said.The army refrained from opening fire due to the proximity of Pakistani military posts, officials added. Drone footage of the area reportedly showed a trail of blood, suggesting that the terrorists sustained injuries while fleeing.Arif was found carrying a mobile phone and Pakistani currency amounting to Rs 20,000. During interrogation, he admitted he was working at the behest of the Pakistani army to assist infiltrating terrorists and had detailed knowledge of the local topography.“He is a resident of the Line of Control on the Pakistani side and working at the behest of Pakistani army to help the terrorists to infiltrate into the Indian side,” the officials said.The army has launched a detailed interrogation of Arif, from whom they are extracting crucial intelligence that could strengthen the counter-infiltration grid.“The successful counter-infiltration operation underscores the unwavering resolve and professional prowess of the Indian army in safeguarding the national borders,” the officials said. “The swift detection, effective response, and successful apprehension of a guide speak volumes about the high state of operational readiness and coordinated efforts of the troops deployed along the LoC.”They added, “The Indian Army remained committed to thwarting all attempts by inimical forces to disturb peace and tranquillity in the region.”
