Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Sept 9: Army has deployed one of its Brigade to the Line of Control (LoC) in the frontier district of Kupwara in North Kashmir to strengthen the counter-infiltration grid so as to prevent infiltration of militants from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The Trehgam based 68 Mountain Brigade in district Kupwara has been deployed at Shamshabari Range and it will strengthen the counter-infiltration grid in Keran and Macchil sectors along the LoC which is frequently used by militants for infiltration.
Sources said that approval for shifting of this Brigade was granted by the Army Headquarters in June this year and process of shifting of this Brigade was immediately started. They said the shifting has almost been completed now.
However, fresh battalions for the Trehgam based brigade are on their way and they will be deployed for counter-militancy operations in the hinterland. The Shamshabari brigade will be in second tier of counter-infiltration grid and they will tackle the infiltrated militants in the forests of Keran and Macchil sectors.
This is for the second time that more troops were sent for counter-infiltration in North Kashmir. Last year 35 RR that was based in Budgam area of Central Kashmir was sent to Nowgam sector of LoC in Kupwara for strengthening counter-infiltration grid.
The need for strengthening the counter-infiltration grid was felt after increased infiltration this year and reports of large number of infiltrators waiting on the LoC. According to official figures, this year 72 militants, mostly belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), have infiltrated into Kashmir till July while last year the number was 35 for the whole year. However, sources said that this year’s infiltration figure is double than the official figure.
This year the security forces achieved major success against militants by killing 102 of them so far which is highest in recent years. Sources said that around 500 militants are waiting for the infiltration on launch pads in PoK.
In the meantime, Army chief, General Dalbir Singh Suhag today visited LoC formations and units in North and South Kashmir to review the security. He was accompanied by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda and the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua.
General Suhag reviewed the security situation and collaborative measures of security forces towards ensuring peace and calm in the region.
The Army chief was briefed about the counter-infiltration measures taken by the Army along LoC to foil infiltration attempts of militants from across in PoK. He was told that large number of militants are waiting on the launch pads for infiltration.
A defence spokesman said here that General Suhag commended all ranks of Chinar Corps for their operational preparedness and commitment to the cause of national security. He directed everyone to ensure strict vigil along the LoC.
“Reinforcing the need to maintain high vigil, he urged the troops to sensitise the people especially the youth to eschew violence to usher in peace at the earliest. He also appreciated the various humanitarian initiatives by the troops to bring succour to the affected locals due to the ongoing unrest and exhorted them to sustain this positive engagement with the Awaam”, the spokesman said.
The Army chief also visited Badami Bagh Cantonment of 15 Corps in Srinagar where he was briefed by the Corps Commander on the numerous initiatives taken by the Army all across the Valley to bring about peace.
“Gen Dalbir reinforced the need to synergise efforts with all the other stakeholders and assured all support for bringing in normalcy, particularly in South Kashmir. He interacted with the DGP J&K,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Gen Suhag accompanied by Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, and Lt Gen S K Dua, met Governor N N Vohra at the Raj Bhavan here today.
During their hour long meeting, the Governor and the Army chief discussed the external security situation and issues relating to effective internal security management.
They also discussed varied opportunities which need to be provided to the youth for assuring stable and bright future for them.
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