Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Nov 9: Director General of Border Security Force (BSF) Nitin Agrawal today said that security forces are alert and would foil any infiltration bids along the borders in Jammu and Kashmir.
While talking to reporters after inspecting a Passing Out Parade of 599 recruits of the BSF at Subsidiary Training Centre (STC) Kashmir at Humhama on the outskirts of the city here, the DG BSF said that there are always attempts from across the border to push in more militants before the onset of winter and closure of tracks due to heavy snowfall.
“There is an attempt to push them before the onset of winter, snowfall, and closure of tracks every year. But, we are alert. I visited the LoC, met my troops and Army officers. They are alert and if there is any infiltration attempt, we will foil it,” he said.
Agrawal said the attempts take place every year as the other side tries to push in a maximum number of militants before the snowfall and they are being foiled as are this year.
“But, we foil their designs every year and that is happening this year too. They are trying, but their designs are not succeeding. A terrorist was killed in Shopian in an encounter today. They are attacking common people, this is a sign of desperation,” he added.
Asked about the ceasefire violation in Samba where a BSF trooper was killed, the DG said that Pakistani troops attacked BSF posts two-three times and have targeted jawans.
“But, our forces are alert and have retaliated very well. There is perhaps severe damage on that side, but it is not confirmed yet,” he said.
Agrawal said firing has been happening for the past two weeks, “but we do not know the reason behind it”.
“We are discussing it and once we get to know the reasons, we will devise a strategy (to counter it),” he said.
“It is difficult to say as to what will happen. We do not start it from our end, but, whenever it takes place, we effectively retaliate,” he replied to a question whether such incidents would escalate the situation.
Agrawal said along the International Border, there is a less chance of infiltration, so the firing is something new there, except for the Arnia sector where it used to happen earlier as well and ruled out that the ceasefire violations are done to push in militants.
The DG said there is no major activity, but, whatever activity they undertake, they will do it secretly. “They will not want it to be noticed”, he added.
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