Rajouri, June 30, KNT: Security forces have apprehended a 22-year-old Pakistani national near the Line of Control in the Manjakote area of Rajouri district, just three days ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin on July 3.
Official sources said that the individual, identified as Mohammad Arib Ahmed, son of Mohammad Yousaf and a resident of Detote Kotali, Pakistan, was intercepted in the forward BG sector of Manjakote. His presence near the heavily guarded LoC raised immediate concerns, and he is currently being interrogated by the security forces.
From his possession, the troops recovered a mobile phone, two lighters, and a few receipts, prompting suspicion about the purpose of his movement across the border. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the intrusion was accidental or a part of a larger, deliberate attempt.
This development comes amid heightened alert across Jammu and Kashmir due to the upcoming Amarnath pilgrimage and recent tensions along the border. Security has already been significantly tightened following the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 25 tourists and a local pony handler were killed. The incident prompted India to launch precision strikes inside Pakistan and PoK on May 6 and 7, sparking a brief armed escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. [KNT]
