Pak intruder killed near Attari border in Amritsar

A Pakistani intruder carrying 6kg of heroin, with a street value of Rs6 crore, and fake Indian currency with a face value of Rs20 lakh, was shot dead by the Border Security force (BSF) in the wee hours today when he refused to surrender.

BSF officials said the intruder sneaked into Rajatal village, just a kilometre from Attari border, and was asked by the force to surrender. However, he refused to do so following which BSF opened fire, killing him on the spot.

During a search later, the body of the unidentified Pakistan national was found along with the drug, a sophisticated automatic pistol and fake currency with a face value of Rs20 lakh.

BSF authorities had recently deployed quick-reaction teams (QRTs) at three joint checkposts located in Punjab after a Taliban plot to target the flag-lowering ceremony at the Attari/Wagah border was foiled by Pakistan security agencies a few days back.

Pakistan security agencies had arrested Khalilullah, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan commander of southern part of Punjab province, and a 17-year-old would-be suicide bomber on the inputs of intelligence agencies.

The two Taliban activists along with eight others had allegedly been plotting an attack at the Wagah border during the flag-lowering ceremony carried out by Pakistan Rangers and the BSF.

After this incident, BSF had sounded special operational alert in the border belt running in Punjab and intensified frisking of visitors coming to watch the flag-lowering ceremony.

Pakistani Rangers have also been sharing intelligence inputs with BSF authorities.