Jammu, Aug 24: Union Home Secretary RK Singh, who arrived here Friday on a two-day visit, has said that presence of more tunnels along the International Border (IB) with Pakistan cannot be ruled out and the security agencies were on alert to “thwart any infiltration bid.”
The Home Secretary held a detailed review meeting with BSF, Intelligence, police and civil administration officials to ascertain the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir before flying to Srinagar where he is expected to meet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“We cannot rule out more tunnels along IB," he told reporters, referring to the discovery of a tunnel on the border last month.
On the recent spurt of firing from Pakistan on Indian border positions, Singh said: “Though such firing from Pakistan is aimed at giving cover to infiltrators into the Indian side, it is mysterious why Pakistan opened fire at a number of locations.”
“One reason which becomes clear is probably that this was mask for the construction of tunnel, which was going on in one sector,” Singh said, adding, “Earlier, what used to happen was that they (Pakistan Rangers) used to fire whenever they wanted to cover infiltration, but in this sector (RS Pura), why this has happened, why this is happening is something that I think they will have to explain?” he asserted.
He further averred that the survey being conducted by Geological Survey of India in Samba sector would continue and Pakistan could not stop that.
“They (Pakistani forces) can’t stop that. The survey will continue for 2-3 months,” he said, adding that the possibility of more tunnels could not be ruled out, due to which forces were on alert.
“We will talk with Pakistan to stop the cross-border firing. We have also discussed as how to ease the situation at IB so that the farmers will easily cultivate their land. Presently the farmers are cultivating around 4,600 acres land adjoining the IB, but we seek to cultivate all the land which is on other side of fencing,” he said.
The cross-border firing is going on at various places along the Indo-Pak border since Aug 5. One BSF soldier has been killed in the firing and has led to panic in the border villages.
As per official sources, the Home Secretary visited various forward areas including Suchetgarh, Pallanwala. Arnia, Abdullian and Chechwal. It was in Chechwal where the 500-metre tunnel was found on July 28.

HOME SECRETARY CALLS ON GOVERNOR
Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary R K Singh called on N N Vohra, Governor at Raj Bhavan here this evening.
During their an hour and a half meeting, the Governor and the Union Home Secretary discussed various important matters relating to border management, the obtaining external security situation and issues relating to internal order.
An official statement said other matters relating to trans-LoC trade and securing sustained peace and normalcy in the State also came up for discussion during the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 24 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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