BSF foils infiltration bid near J&K's Samba amid escalating tensions with Pakistan

NEW DELHI: The Border Security Force (BSF) successfully thwarted a major infiltration attempt along the International Boundary in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district late Thursday night, as tensions continue to rise between India and Pakistan. The incident occurred around 11pm on 8 May, with BSF units acting swiftly to prevent the incursion. In a post on X, BSF Jammu confirmed, “At around 2300 hours on 8 May 2025, BSF foiled a major infiltration bid at the International Boundary in Samba district, J&K.”This development comes amid a wider escalation of hostilities following India’s recent military actions under ‘Operation Sindoor’.The operation, launched on 7 May, targeted nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. These camps were reportedly linked to terror groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The strikes were said to be in direct retaliation for the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 28 civilians.Defence sources have indicated that the Indian Army also brought down two Pakistani drones in the Naushera sector, during intense artillery exchanges along the Line of Control. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports emerged of a Pakistani Air Force jet being shot down in Punjab’s Pathankot sector, though official verification is awaited.Pakistan reportedly attempted to hit military targets in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur using drones and missiles. The Integrated Defence Staff said these threats were “neutralised using kinetic and non-kinetic means” and confirmed that there were no casualties. Several incoming missiles, aimed at strategic locations including Jammu Airport in Satwari, Samba, RS Pura, and Arnia, were intercepted by Indian air defence systems. Loud explosions and subsequent blackouts were reported across Jammu and in parts of Rajasthan, where residents were alerted by sirens.Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened an urgent security meeting on Thursday, bringing together heads of all border-guarding agencies to assess preparedness. A separate review of airport security was also held with the Central Industrial Security Force.