BSF jawan seriously hurt in rare IED blast along Pak border in Gurdaspur

A Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was seriously injured after an IED planted ahead of the security fence along the border with Pakistan detonated in Gurdaspur while a patrol was trying to defuse it.

BSF officials said while the recovery of drones, narcotics and weapons in the vicinity of the fence was frequent, the detection of IEDs was rare.

The incident occurred on the intervening night of April 8 and 9 while an area domination patrol was being conducted. The BSF has issued an alert along the 553-km border in Punjab and is reviewing its patrolling procedurestaking into account the possibility of more IEDs being planted in border areas. A technical and forensic examination of the seized IED components was being undertaken and appropriate action would be initiated after the report was submitted, sources said.

The BSF patrol detected suspicious items well inside the Indian territory. During the operation, the troops identified a suspected IED planted ahead of the fence, indicating an attempt to target the security forces and farmers, a BSF officer said.

The patrolling was aimed at dominating the area and ensuring the safety of troops, defence personnel and farmers who frequently traversed and plied on that route during the day.

Inspection revealed a network of concealed wires in the fields, confirming the presence of multiple IEDs. While cordoning off and sanitising the area, a concealed detonating device of the IEDs accidentally got triggered, resulting in serious injuries to a BSF jawan on the legs.

Despite the inherent risks, the troops continued their operation, successfully securing the area and preventing a potentially massive tragedy to the force personnel and farmers, he added.

The border in Punjab has also been witnessing a large number of drone incursions from Pakistan that smuggle in narcotics, arms and ammunition as well as fake currency.

Punjab