Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Feb 26: Army today said that the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan are aimed at infiltrating militants, who in large numbers are waiting at launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen A K Bhatt, told reporters on the sidelines of a passing out parade at the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Centre here that this year due to less snow, militants might attempt early infiltration.
“We have inputs of many infiltrators waiting at the launching pads and we think infiltration will start sooner this year because of less snow. But we are taking counter measures. One reason for the firing can be this (to push infiltrators). Whenever there is firing by Pakistan, it is certain there is an attempt to push infiltrators. The same thing happened in Kupwara and Tanghdar,” the GOC said.
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He added that the militants are waiting in groups of 30-40 at many places near the LoC in PoK. “The militants waiting across the LoC are in groups of 30-40 at many places from Lepa valley to Mandal area, near 161 brigade, Rampur, and other areas, he said.
Lt General Bhatt said that Army will not open entire front but will retaliate wherever Pakistan indulges in aggressive action or pushes in infiltrators. “The cease fire violations, initiated by Pakistan, have been appropriately responded to. But I would also like to tell you it is more of a local affair where due to their actions we have reacted at specific places. We do not intend to open the entire front. Our only thing is that we will retaliate if Pakistan indulges in any aggressive action or pushes infiltrators across,” he said.
The GOC said that an attempt by a Border Action Team (BAT) of Pakistan to sneak in Kupwara was foiled and such attempts will always be dealt in the same manner.
On the use of heavy artillery along the LoC in Uri sector, the Army Commander said specific situations determine the kind of artillery used.
Referring to the killing of two policemen yesterday, Lt Gen Bhatt said militants were looking for easy targets. “Firstly, my condolences to the two brave policemen we lost yesterday. Any loss of life is a loss to us. You know, they would look at the easiest target they can find and these are small posts where security personnel are less in number. But, we will take all actions to ensure that they are appropriately taken care of,” he said.
The GOC said the security forces would continue to target the militant leadership and there is complete synergy and coordination between all the agencies.
On the Shopian firing incident, the Army Commander said forces do not fire until extreme provocations.
“The matter is sub judice and I will not go into details. But, the basic thing I want to tell you is that our jawans will not fire till extreme provocation and till there is no danger to life and property. If our jawans fired that day, it was because the situation was such. There were apprehensions of lynching and loss of life and property. I want to tell you that we have never opened fire on civilians and we will never do so,” he said.
On local youth joining militancy, Lt Gen Bhatt said the youth should join armed forces and other jobs to strengthen the country. “My primary aim is to ensure that there is peace and prosperity in Kashmir. My primary focus will be to carry out people friendly operations so that Kashmir, which is moving towards mainstream, continues doing so, he said.
Asked about reports of announcements made by Pakistan asking villagers to evacuate, Lt Gen Bhatt said they were not for the villagers on this side of the LoC. “They advised a few of the villages there to vacate for safety reasons and my input is that those villages have also not vacated completely”, he said.
And in the meantime, a Hizbul Mujahideen militant was killed and a policeman sustained splinter injuries in a grenade blast at a police station in Tral area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district today.
Police said that at around 12:30 PM today, an HM militant, Mushtaq Chopan, who was in custody of Police Station Tral tried to escape from the police station wearing female burka.
“When he was near the main gate someone from outside lobbed a grenade as a part of the planned conspiracy to divert the attention so that he could escape conveniently. The grenade exploded inside the station nearby him resulting into death of the said detainee and injury to one constable Mehraj-ud-din”, police said.
Police said that the injured police personnel was shifted to Army hospital whereas the dead body of the detainee was handed over to his relatives after autopsy. “Magisterial enquiry has been initiated under Section 176 CrPC. The circumstances under which he was escaping are being looked into. Mushtaq Chopan was involved in FIR No 55/2017 under section 18, 20,38 ULAP of P/S Tral, FIR No 76/2017 under section 302 RPC, 7/27 Arms Act, 18,20 ULAP of P/S Tral”, Police said.
Mushtaq Chopan was arrested along with two other persons by Police and MARCOS at Watlab on January 7.
Tral area observed a complete shutdown to mourn the death of Chopan. Shops and commercial establishments remained shut while transport was also affected.
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