Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 22: General Officer Commanding (GOC), Chinar Corps, Lt General Subrata Saha, said that Army has strengthened the counter-infiltration grid along the Line of Control (LoC) over the years and has brought down the levels of infiltration.
In an interview to Excelsior, the GOC said that Army’s effort over the years has been to strengthen the counter-infiltration grid along the LoC to bring down the levels of infiltration. “If we see last year we have eliminated 101 militants plus apprehensions, 45 of them. Bulk of them, have been eliminated while infiltrating. We are ensuring that before they try to cause damage in the hinterland, best is to get the menace during infiltration rather than allowing them to move to Valley and endanger people’s lives and do collateral damage. Our effort is to strengthen the counter-infiltration grid”, he said.
Lt General Saha said that LoC fence is being strengthened every year but this year Army is installing comprehensive surveillance system as part of strengthening counter-infiltration grid. “Fence is strengthened every year. The fence was constructed in 2003-2004. Where ever need arises there is double fence. Every year we strengthen the fence and re-enforce it after snow. This year were are installing a comprehensive system in which there is everything including surveillance system and alarm system. Everything put together our effort is to make it much more effective and in any case it is generational change to the fence also”, he said.
The GOC said that over the years Army has understood the pattern of the infiltration and has refined the tactics to counter it. “The counter-infiltration starts with infiltration, surveillance equipment and troops those are deployed and what type weapons they are carrying and what is their morale and how trained they are. We devise a strategy to track them right from the start across the fence and coming to the fence to the reception area and it is the system that works. All components put together and over the years we have refined our tactics. We have understood the pattern well.”
Lt General Saha said that militants over the years have improved the communication network and instead of relying on radio sets they are using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and Skype which is difficult to track.
The GOC said that militants are using new communication technologies which are difficult to detect. “Earlier, they would come in with sports GPS equipment. Now they are coming with absolutely high technology GPS systems. Their reliance on radio sets is a bare minimal and its only for the terminal stages of communication. A lot of the communication is happening on Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and over Skype “, he said.
Lt General Saha said that of late militants are coming well prepared and are carrying more weaponry. He said that last year the group that was eliminated was equipped with Swiss-made snow clothing and boots, digital navigation consoles, satellite phones, high-energy food and more weaponry and ammunition than any militant group that infiltrated into Kashmir has brought in so far.
The GOC said despite use of latest technology and weaponry by militants, last year Army was able to eliminate 59 of them on the LOC and bring down levels of infiltration. “And the total number of them which got infiltrated is 65 which is much lesser than previous year. It was 97 last year and it has come down to 65. And if we go one more year back, the figure was 121, so it has come down over the years”, he added.
Lt General Saha said that infiltrators have started their activities across the LoC for infiltration. “By the middle of March the activity that starts across the Line of Control and that has started. This year snowfall was late and let us see how these things unfold and on our side we are prepared”, he said.
The GOC said that snow or no snow Army is always alert on the LoC to respond to any challenge. “Last year we eliminated entire group of militants at Tootmari Gali (TMG) who came in snow in December. They were fully equipped to infiltrate in snow. They have improved their techniques. The way we are deployed on snow, troops are very alert they will respond to any challenge.”
Lt General Saha said that at any stage Army can’t say that there is snow and passes have closed and infiltration will not take place. “Some areas do get closed due to snow but there are areas where infiltration does take place. The biggest infiltration that took place was in February 1948 in Keran sector. And in 2008 when I was brigade commander there was infiltration attempt in February and we foiled it. There is possibility of infiltration in lower heights if they make an effort but we are ready here”, he said.
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