Samba, May 13:  Village Defence Committees and police have intensified night patrolling in border hamlets dotting the Indo-Pak border in Samba sector in the wake of the major encounter between security forces and infiltrating militants in Jammu’s Samba sector.

Apprehending an increase in infiltration attempts, authorities have stepped up surveillance in the area, officials sources said.

Led by VDC head Makkar Ram, members armed with 303 rifles are patrolling Kaily Mandi hamlet since Monday. Some of them have been stationed at entry points of villages.

VDC members along with police area also patrolling Baingallard, Ramgarh, Nanga, Regal, Mangral and Sangral areas during the night.

Intelligence reports suggest that a group of ten militants infiltrated inside Indian territory after the fierce firefight in Baingalllar border belt on Friday last.

"While three heavily armed militants were eliminated, seven others are still hiding in Samba and adjoining forest belts and are waiting to strike at some places," the sources said.

There are over 47 VDC committees trained by the army troops in handling of 303 rifle, setting up of ambushes, developing of intelligence inputs and monitoring activities close to their villages in Samba-Kathua sector.

Besides this some ex-service men have joined VDCs and are carrying out patrolling and night area domination in their respective border villages, they said.

Most of the ex-service men are already trained in counter insurgency warfare.