BARAMULLA: A top Army commander on Saturday said that the launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are fully occupied with about 300 militants, who are trying hard to infiltrate into this side of the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir.
However, Major General Virendra Vats, GOC 19 Infantry Division, Baramulla, said that the anti-infiltration grid along the LoC is fully operational and alert troops are ready to foil any attempts by militants to crossover to his side.
”We have inputs that the launchpads in PoK are fully occupied. The number of militants present in these launchpads right now is between 250 and 300. They (militants) are trying hard to infiltrate into this side as they have about four summer months left before the passes will be closed due to snowfall,” Major General Vats told reporters during a press conference here on Saturday.
He said Pakistani troops have been frequently violating ceasefire by resorting to heavy shelling and firing to help the militants to infiltrate. ”But, this tactic won’t work as our troops are on high alert to foil any infiltration bid,” he added.
Giving details about the infiltration bid, which was foiled early on Saturday morning, the Army commander said that the troops posted along the LoC in Nougam sector in Kupwara detected suspicious movement originating from Pakistani Post in the area. ”Appropriate response by our troops led to the killing of two militants, who were trying to infiltrate by cutting anti-infiltration fence,” he said.
He said 2 AK assault rifles with 12 filled magazines, a pistol, some grenades, pistol magazines were recovered from the slain militants. ”We also recovered about 1.5 lakhs in Indian and Pakistani currency,” he said.
Major General Vats said search operation is underway to sanitise the area along the LoC. (AGENCIES)
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