MISTAKEN FOR TERRORISTS, BEARDED BSF MEN IN MILITARY FATIGUES SPARK SCARE IN PATHANKOT

PATHANKOT: A couple of bearded men and a clean-shaven companion, all clad in military fatigues, were seen sipping soda water at a roadside vendor in Pathankot, a garrison town near the Pakistan border. This sighting caused alarm among locals due to a recent alert after two suspected Pakistani terrorists, with covered faces and backpacks, allegedly arrived at a nearby farmhouse demanding food from migrant labourers present there.

The farmhouse episode prompted security forces to conduct search operations fearing that terrorists fleeing from J&K might have reached Pathankot. When residents spotted the three "suspicious-looking" men early this week, panic ensued. Photos taken by onlookers quickly circulated on social media, going viral by Wednesday and prompting widespread fear and heightened security measures.

BSF also took note of the images and conducted an investigation. A senior BSF officer, who chose to remain anonymous, clarified that the men were in fact BSF troopers and were stationed at high-altitude posts along LoC in J&K.

The officer explained that "soldiers in such locations often grow beards to conserve water (shaving) and protect their faces from the harsh cold and winds".