Suspected members of the lashkar-e-Tayyeba (leT) suicide squad, eliminated by the Indian Army in a 32-hour-long joint operation in Kathar Kothe Village of Arnia on the Jammu frontier on Friday, may have infiltrated into India via water bodies along the International Border with Pakistan.

The BSF has ruled out the possibility of a breach in the barbed wire fence in the area. The possibility that the heavily armed infiltrators had taken advantage of the water bodies near the International Border cannot be completely ruled out.

According to official sources, “recovery of two transparent floating tubes clearly indicated the same may have been used by the infiltrators to cross the water bodies near the International Border before sneaking inside Indian territory”.

That the infiltrators were on a deadly ‘suicide mission’ is clear as the Army recovered a suicide vest, worn by one of the four infiltrators and a number of IEDs and RPGs. The infiltrators also carried a huge quantity of arms and ammunition that were meant to last long.

According to official sources, the infiltrators were aged around 22-25.They were all well-built and well-trained in combat, official sources revealed.

The fourth infiltrator killed on Friday was believed to be the leader of the group and well-trained in combat. “It is for this reason he survived little longer and gave tough fight before getting eliminated,” sources said.

Army had to press services of primary infantry vehicle BMP-2 and bulletproof Rakshak vehicles to close the tight cordon before eliminating the infiltrators.

The Army also recovered four AK-47 rifles, over one dozen grenades, 30-40 AK-47 magazines, large quantities of dry ration, including chocolates, dry fruits, corex bottles, radio sets, woolen clothes, including jackets, pair of fresh socks etc.

According to official sources, “the nightlong operation was resumed in the forward village with the first light, but the first contact was made with the fourth infiltrator, around 9.00 am”.

For next three hours, the heavily armed infiltrator gave a tough fight to the Army commandos but was neutralised shortly after noon. later, a thorough search and combing operation was launched in the Kathar Kothe village to rule out the possibility of presence of more infiltrators in the area. The Army, according to official sources, would be camping in the area for some time to ensure safety of the terrorised local population.

Meanwhile, a solemn homage ceremony was organised at military station Mamun on Friday to pay last respects to the gallant soldiers who were martyred in the two-day long operation.

According to Defence spokesman, “the mortal remains of Naik Kulwinder Singh, resident of District Jalandhar in Punjab, Naik Jagsir Singh, resident of District Mansa in Punjab, both from 5th Battalion, the Sikh light Infantry (OP HIll) and Paratrooper Balwinder Singh resident of Dhar Kalan district in Punjab, of 1 PARA (Special Forces), were laid in State and a wreath laying ceremony was performed with full military honours”.

A wreath was laid on behalf of Gen Dalbir Singh, Chief of the Army Staff. lt Gen KJ Singh, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command, laid a wreath on behalf of all ranks of Western Command. Also, present at the ceremony were lt-Gen Rajeev Tewari, General Officer Commanding 9 Corps and other Officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and jawans of all units of the Military Station, Mamun. last rites of five civilians killed in the gun battle were also performed in Arnia on Friday after the recovery of bodies from the encounter site.