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Bodies were recovered along with large amounts of drugs and ammunitions.

The Border Security Force (BSF) troopers deployed along the International Border (IB) in Tarn Taran of Punjab today (22 August) gunned down five intruders who were trying to enter Indian territory from the Pakistani side, reports Asian News International (ANI).

"Alert troops of 103 Bn BSF noticed suspicious movement of intruders violating the International Border. Upon being challenged to stop, intruders fired upon BSF troops who retaliated in self-defence. Resultantly, five intruders were shot dead. Intensive search operation is underway," BSF said.

BSF troops had first noticed suspicious activity at the border around midnight, following which they launched a "focussed" surveillance on the intruders and set up multiple ambushes along the front. The "contact was established" around 4:45 am, just behind the IB fence, news agency PTI reported quoting a BSF official.

The intruders were seen carrying rifles and were taking the aid of the 'sarkanda' or tall grass to sneak into India, they said.

A photo collage released by the BSF showed two bodies piled on each other while the three others were lying separately in the slushy green tall grass. Some weapons and backpacks were visible in the photographs and the intruders were wearing T-shirts or shirts and full pants.

The second BSF official said one AK-47 rifle and two pistols had been found.