According to a senior official, it is being suspected that the hidden structures were constructed to be used for aiding infiltration of terrorists, smuggling of narcotics and arms. Border Security Forces have discovered at least seven such tunnels since 2012 on the International Border.
As per reports, the tunnel was located by a BSF patrol in the Samba sector of Jammu, about 50 meters from the border fence on the Indian side. News agency PTI reported that plastic sandbags that had 'Pakistani markings' on them were found during further examination by the security forces.
About 8-10 plastic sandbags were recovered from the opening of the tunnel during the search operation conducted by the security forces.
BSF Inspector General (Jammu) NS Jamwal along with some other senior officials also visited the spot to oversee the operation. As per sources, the 20 meters long under-construction tunnel had a depth of about 25 feet.
As per the officials, the nearest Pakistani border post "Gulzar" is about 700 meters from the tunnel.
In order to stop infiltration along sensitive border areas, the Border Security Forces deployed across the International Border area are also looking at the option of using ground penetrating radars to detect tunnels which can be used by the infiltrators, especially from Pakistan to smuggle arms and narcotics.