J&K situation stable but fragile: Defence Ministry

NEW DELHI :  The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir is “fragile” with Pakistan’s “proxy war” continuing in the state amid a rise in incidents of ceasefire violations and terror infrastructure remaining intact in the neighbouring country, the Ministry of Defence has said.

The ministry has cautioned that the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and Pakistan remains intact and Islamabad has been actively training and aiding terrorists to infiltrate across the LoC to sustain its proxy war in J&K.

“The situation in J&K is stable but fragile with Pakistan’s proxy war continuing in the state… There has been an increase in the number of cease fire violations in 2013 compared to the last two years,” the ministry said.

It has made these remarks in its booklet titled “Brief Statement on Activities & Achievements of Ministry of Defence” during 2013, which has been tabled in Parliament.

The hostility at the Pakistan border thawed following DGMO level talks held in December last year between the two armies, it said.

Despite incidents of incursion by Chinese Army into Indian territory, especially in Ladakh sector, the ministry said relations between two countries have improved over the last few years with constructive engagement at the political, diplomatic and military level continuing with regular military exchanges.

It attributed the incursion by Chinese Army to the differing perception of the Line of Actual Control and said specific cases of transgressions by Chinese patrols are taken up with Chinese authorities through the established mechanism.

Turning its focus to the northeast states, several of which suffer from insurgence, the ministry said the security situation in the region has stabilised due to concerted efforts of security forces.

The situation in Manipur, however, remains tense despite reduction in violence levels, it said. (agencies)