Locals report sighting of 2 suspected terrorists near Punjab border

Two suspected terrorists in army fatigues were today allegedly seen in sensitive Tash Pattan area near the Indo-Pak border in this district of Punjab prompting launch of a combing operation. "A villager has told police that he had seen two persons in Army fatigues at Tash Pattan," Punjab ADGP (law and order) H S Dhillon said. Immediately, a search operation had been started in the area, he said. The area has strategic importance and river Ravi causes damage to the fences and other concrete bundhs put in place at the spot.

Gurdaspur is already under high alert in the wake of reports of two suspected terrorists were sighted near Tibri cantonment few days back. However, after combing operation nothing was found in and around Tibri cantonment and Pandher village, police said. River Ravi enters Pakistan from Tash Pattan area, officials said adding that at times border fencing gets eroded in the area. However, BSF officials posted in Tash Pattan, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that the Ravi had been eroding their posts in the area.

On Saturday last, six terrorists had attacked air force station at Pathankot before being eliminated in a hours of long gunbatle. After the incident, a scare was created when villagers told police that they had sighted two terrorists at Pandher village near Tibri cantonment in this district.