India foils major infiltration bid by six militants amid rising tensions with Pakistan

India foiled a major infiltration bid by a group of militants on Thursday (20 October) along the border it shares with its arch-rival Pakistan, as the fierce verbal row between the two countries continues.

India's Border Security Force (BSF) engaged in heavy fighting using rocket propelled grenades along the international border in Kathua district in south-west Jammu and Kashmir after a group a four to six militants reportedly made the infiltration bid.

It is the first infiltration bid in the international border since the militant attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir's Uri region that killed 19 Indian soldiers.

The militants reportedly attacked a vehicle carrying troops who were patrolling the area at the time of the infiltration bid, the Press Trust of India reported. The assault took place through the midnight on Wednesday to Thursday (20 October).

The militants, allegedly from Pakistan, fired around 25 rounds of small weapons and two small mortars shells in the region, according to ANI reports.

The Indian troops reportedly retaliated and engaged in exchange of fire for over 20 minutes. When the BSF fired bombs to illuminate the area to have a clearer view, they reportedly saw the militants escaping carrying an injured member.

There are no immediate reports of any casualty or damage on the Indian side.

A BSF official was quoted as saying that India suspected Pakistani hand in the infiltration bid and that there may have been support fire from the Border out Posts (BoPs) of Pakistan.

"As BoPs is close by there is tactic support of rangers as well," the official said.

According to Indian Express, there was another "unprovoked shelling" at the Indian troops in Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir.

Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta said: "The troops violated bilateral ceasefire in Bhimber Ghali sector of LoC (line of control). They used mortars to target our positions."