Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 27: Northern Army Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda said today that there were about 250 militants camping along the border across Jammu and Kashmir awaiting an opportunity to infiltrate into this side but declared that the troops were determined to thwart their designs.
“We have reports that about 150 militants were camping across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir and 100 across LoC and International Border opposite Jammu. They were trying to take advantage of fencing damaged due to floods earlier. We have strengthened our positions. The BSF has also increased the deployment. We will ensure that the militants didn’t succeed in their plot,’’ Lt Gen Hooda told reporters on the sidelines of a function here to felicitate Divisional Traffic Manager of Northern Railways, Jammu, Ram Nath Meena.
“When the snow starts melting with the onset of summer, the militants always try to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir taking advantage of the passes. However, we too have put in place our summer strategy to counter infiltration attempts by the militants. The Counter-Infiltration Grid is being strengthened further to foil the intrusion bids,’’ the GOC-in-C Northern Command said.
He added: “deployment of troops along the Line of Control has been strengthened to thwart cross-border infiltration attempts with the snow starting to melt. We are fully prepared to thwart any cross-border infiltration attempts along the LoC. As the snow has started melting, troops have been put on high alert.”
Asserting that fencing has got damaged at some places due to rains and floods, Lt Gen Hooda said the repair work has started and it would be completed shortly to prevent the militants from taking advantage of damaged fencing to sneak into this side.
“Deployment of troops along the LoC has been increased to compensate for the fence that suffered damage during floods. The spots of damaged floods were being plugged with intensified manual patrolling,” he said.
“Infiltration is bit difficult along the LoC. But the floods have damaged the patches of fencing along the International Border which gives advantage to militants in their infiltration bids,” Lt Gen Hooda said.
“We have ensured strictness and second tier of security. Police is also there. BSF has further strengthened its strategy to combat infiltration along the International Border,” he said.
Asked whether there was any fear of summer unrest in Kashmir, he said: “we are also prepared to react to any situation’’.
Lt Gen Hooda said there were reports that militant launching pads from across the border may engineer attacks similar to the terror attacks in Kathua and Samba districts.
“There were inputs that the militants could even indulge in BAT (Border Action Team) like attacks but we are fully prepared to meet with any kind of situation on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir,’’ the Northern Army Command chief said.
He said the Army and other security agencies were fully prepared well in advance to ensure peaceful Amarnath ji pilgrimage starting on July 2 in South Kashmir Himalayas. The yatra will continue till August 29.
The Army Commander said in addition to para-military BSF and CRPF, Army would deploy two additional units for protection of Amarnath yatris and ensure smooth two months long pilgrimage.
“Arrangements for Amarnath yatra will be like that of 2013. The pilgrims will be provided adequate security. We have to be very careful as far as the Amarnath yatra is concerned,’’ Lt Gen Hooda said, adding the yatra strategy is in place and the forces would be deployed well in advance.
On whether there was presence of ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), he said there were reports of ISIS presence on Pakistan-Afghan border but not in PoK.
The Northern Command chief said there was close relationship between Army and Railways.
“It was the Railways, which helps the Army units move from one place to another. The two (Army and Railways) have very close relationship. The Railways have done commendable job in transporting the Army jawans,’’ he said.
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