‘Recovery of Chinese make M-16 unusual’
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Aug 26: Army today said that Pakistan is desperate and frustrated and will try to infiltrate militants and send in arms and ammunition into Kashmir despite a robust anti-infiltration grid in place.
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General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Army’s 19 Infantry Division Major General Ajay Chandpuri told reporters during a press conference in Baramulla in North Kashmir that Pakistan is desperate and frustrated, and will continue to try to infiltrate militants and send in arms and ammunition despite a robust anti-infiltration grid in place.
“The LoC is over 740 km which includes very difficult terrain and then there were spells of inclement weather. So, despite the vigilance, there are gaps from where they try and infiltrate terrorists and war-like stores,” he said.
Maj Gen Chandpuri said based on multiple inputs “there were close to 100-120 terrorists attempting to infiltrate and present in 15-20 launchpads which are close to the LoC”, opposite this sector alone.
He said that despite ceasefire holding, attempts to infiltrate militants into Kashmir are on. “So, while the ceasefire understanding is largely holding good for the benefit of the people on the both sides, the presence of terrorists on the launchpads and their continuous attempts to infiltrate are on,” he added.
The General said that the level of technology and alertness is improving along the LoC with each passing day.
“So, the infiltration has come down significantly, which is also indicated by the peace in the hinterland. So, we feel they are getting more and more desperate to push these people from any way possible. This one attempt made early in the morning is indicative of their desperation and their frustration,” he said.
He said the swift elimination of militants in Thursday’s operation in the Uri sector sends a clear signal of the level of preparedness of troops on the LoC.
Asked if there were any attempts to drop weapons using drones in the sector, the GOC said “not really”. “But, we are watching out for that and prepared to deal with it”.
He described the recovery of Chinese-made M-16 assault rifle from the three militants killed on Thursday during an anti-infiltration operation along the Line of Control in Uri as “unusual”.
The Army said two AK series weapons, one Chinese M-16 weapon and ammunition were recovered from the Pakistani militants killed in Kamalkote area of Uri while trying to infiltrate into the Indian side.
“Usually, we find AK series and at times, the M-4 rifles being recovered. This M-16 is a Chinese-made 9-mm calibre weapon. This is an unusual recovery,” he said.
He, however, said it would be premature to say if this hints at a probable nexus between the Pakistani army, militants and the Chinese army.
“It would be too premature to speculate on the larger context of it. So, I think, we will have to really examine and go into the details,” he said.
3 militant associates held
Security forces today arrested three militant associates of Lashkar-e-Toiba along with arms and ammunition in North Kashmir’s Sopore area.
A police spokesman said that this evening, a joint naka was established by Sopore police, 22 RR of Army and 179 Bn CRPF at Bomai Chowk in Bomai Sopore.
“During checking, a suspicious movement of three persons coming from Goripura towards Bomai was noted and were subsequently asked to stop, but they tried to flee from the spot, however, the 4 were tactfully apprehended by the security forces. Upon their personal search, three hand grenades, nine posters and 12 Pakistani flags were recovered from their possession,” he said.
They have been identified as Shariq Ashraf son of Mohammad Ashraf Wani of Hadipora Rafiabad, Saqlain Mushtaq son of Mushtaq Ahmed War of Warpora Sopore and Tawfeeq Hassan Sheikh son of Ghulam Hassan Sheikh of Fatehgarh Baramulla.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested persons are OGWs of organisation LeT and were in a constant search of an opportunity to carry out attacks on security forces and civilians including outside labourers,” he said.
“A case has been registered at Police Station Bomai under relevant Sections of law and further investigation is still going on,” read the statement.
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