A high alert has been sounded along the 198-km International Border (IB) in the Kathua and Akhnoor areas of Jammu after security agencies spotted a tunnel from Pakistan.

“The tunnel, 3×4 feet in diameter, was dug 10 feet below the ground near a BSF post in R.S. Pora. The tunnel starts from the Pakistani side,” said R.K. Sharma, BSF Inspector-General, Jammu Frontier.

Mr. Sharma said the tunnel, spotted on Thursday morning, was meant to “infiltrate terrorists” into Jammu, which is closer to Punjab, and where several fidayeen (suicide) attacks have taken place since 2014. “The end of the tunnel in the Indian territory is not complete. It was also meant to bring in arms and ammunition,” Mr. Sharma said.

Professionally dug

The tunnel, running 30 metres into the Indian territory, was yet to reach the barbed wire fencing.

Sources said it was “professionally dug with men and machines.” The BSF has raised the issue with the Pakistan Rangers.

“The matter was raised at a flag meeting with the Pakistan Rangers. Initially, the Rangers tried to make it out to be a disputed area,” said a senior BSF officer.

Ever since the first tunnel was spotted in 2012 in the Jammu region, the BSF has launched a drive to locate conduits.

Sources said the movement of militants has increased in the area, and there was intelligence on an infiltration bid. The BSF has decided to clear the entire area of wild growth, right up to the zero line.