<p class="p1">Five Pakistani intruders were shot dead by the Border Security Force (BSF) early this morning in an encounter along the  International Border (IB) in Punjab.</p>
<p class="p1">"Alert troops of 103Bn #BSF noticed suspicious movement of intruders violating IB. Upon being challenged to stop, intruders fired upon #BSF troops who retaliated in self defence. Resultantly, 05 intruders were shot. Intensive search operations is underway," the BSF Punjab handle tweeted.</p>
<p class="p1">Officials said the incident took place in the early hours when BSF personnel spotted some movement across the fence in Tarn Taran district.</p>
<p class="p1">They said the intruders were challenged and subsequently shot dead in an exchange of fire. Two bodies have been recovered along with a rifle. The area has been cordoned off and a search has been launched to retrieve the third body, officials said.</p>
<p class="p1">It is not clear whether the intruders were militants or drug smugglers.</p>.