Indian, Pakistani forces trade fire, infiltration foiled (Lead, Superseding earlier story)

JAMMU - Indian border guards exchanged heavy gunfire with Pakistani forces at the Jammu and Kashmir border and foiled an attempt by militants to sneak into India, officials said Saturday.

The Border Security Force (BSF) fired back at the Pakistan Rangers after coming under attack at Ballad post in Samba sector, about 45 km southwest of Jammu, on the international border at 11 p.m. Friday.

“It was an infiltration bid by militants. The gunfire lasted for about 90 minutes. The BSF succeeded in foiling the infiltration attempt,” a BSF official told IANS.

Still, the BSF is searching the area for footprints to determine if anyone did manage to enter India.

A fortnight ago, two militants crossed over into Jammu and Kashmir from Hiranagar sector of Kathua district. They were later killed by the Punjab Police in a village in Gurdaspur district in adjoining Punjab.