(This story originally appeared in on Jan 03, 2015)

NEW DELHI: Groups of Pakistani terrorists have positioned themselves at eight to nine launch pads along the Line of Control and international border in Jammu & Kashmir. They are waiting to infiltrate under the cover of fire provided by Pakistani forces, for carrying out attacks in India ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit here later this month, according to sources in the Indian security establishment.Intelligence reports have indicated that the potential infiltrators, who have organized themselves in groups ranging from four to five members to 40-45 members, are attempting to cross over "with the blessings of the highest authority in the Pakistani army". "The purpose seems to be to carry out spectacular strikes in India ahead of or during Obama's visit here to be part of the Republic Day celebrations ," said a senior intelligence official, citing the latest intelligence reports reaching the Centre.On Friday, India linked the ceasefire violations in the Samba sector to the infiltration attempts by Pakistani terror outfits, with the larger aim to unleash terror acts here. Responding to queries if the continuous firing by the Pakistani forces was a diversionary tactic to push terrorists into J&K, Union home minister Rajnath Singh said there was "no doubt about that".When asked by TOI to react to protests by Pakistan that the BSF's response to the killing of an Indian soldier on New Year's Eve, which left four Pakistani Rangers dead, was "disproportionate and unprovoked", Singh pointed out that Indian forces were only responding to Pakistan's aggression. "Why did they fire at our troops in the first place?" he asked.In Islamabad, Pakistan foreign secretary handed over to the Indian high commissioner, TCA Raghavan a letter from Sartaj Aziz for external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. The letter is a protest communication by Aziz, essentially reinforcing the Pakistan complaint of January 1 against Indian firing of Pakistani troops in Samba sector (Zafarwal sector in Pakistan). Raghavan told the Pakistan official that India's actions were only a retaliation for Pakistan's initial firing.Home ministry officials also underlined that the "tough response" by BSF troops was essentially to send out a "stern" message of "zero tolerance" towards any misadventures by Pakistan such as ceasefire violations and firing on Indian forces.Incidentally on Friday again, fresh firing by Pakistani Rangers was reported in Samba and Hiranagar sectors.Pakistan Rangers had on Thursday too targeted 13 border outposts in Samba sector in Jammu & Kashmir, a day after four Pakistani rangers were killed in a sharp counter-attack following the death of an Indian jawan in cross-border firing