Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 9: Army today said that checking infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC) is important factor for smooth conduct of the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State.
Corps Commander of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Subrata Saha, told reporters Central Kashmir district of Budgam on the sidelines of a function that Army’s improvement in counter infiltration measures is helping in preventing infiltration of militants from across the LoC and it is important for holding Assembly elections that are due later this year.
“Because of the improvement and robustness of the counter- infiltration posture, we are able to prevent infiltration from happening and that I think is the important factor in ensuring the secure conditions for the people to be able to exercise their franchise during the elections,” said Saha.
The GOC said that the effective counter-infiltration grid on the LoC is helping in securing the peaceful situation in Kashmir. “If people and the jawans are not together, then situation will never get better”, he said.
The General said there is no increase in infiltration attempts from across the LoC this year. “The trends and pattern in infiltration are quite similar to what they were in the previous years”, he added.
Saha said this after Army successfully foiled at least 8 infiltration bids along the LoC in North Kashmir in past one month during which 7 militants were killed in Tangdhar sector during past one week.
And Army sources say militant commanders are trying to infiltrate more militants by this summer ahead of Assembly elections but so far they have not succeeded in their designs.
Later in the day, the GOC called on Governor N N Vohra and briefed him about the recent attempts by militants to infiltrate into the Valley. “Lt Gen Saha called on the Governor at the Raj Bhavan and briefed him about the recent attempts at infiltration from across the Line of Control (LoC),” an official spokesman said. Saha also discussed the overall security situation with the Governor.
In the meantime, the Army operation in North Kashmir’s Tangdhar forests continues against 7 infiltrated militants. So far one Army jawan and three militants were killed in the operation that was launched by the Army’s 4 Para, 3/1 GR, 5/5 GR and 20 RR on August 6.
The GOC said that a number of educated youth joining militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is a disturbing trend and a matter of concern. He, however, said that Army will take initiatives to engage them meaningfully.
“I would submit that any youth joining militancy is disturbing. And if educated youth are joining, it is more disturbing. To that extent yes, it certainly causes concern to us. It certainly encourages us to take initiatives to keep the youth more meaningfully engaged,” said the Corps Commander.
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