Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, May 25: Army today said that the strengthening of counter-infiltration grid along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan in Kashmir valley has led to reduction in the levels of infiltration since last year and no militant has crossed this year into Valley from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The General Officer Commanding in Chief of Army’s Northern Command Lieutenant General Sanjiv Chachra told reporters here at the end of his two day visit that no infiltration of militants from PoK into Kashmir valley has taken place this year.
“No infiltration has taken place. We are prepared and our counter infiltration grid is in place. The troops are alert. We are ready to take on any challenge,” he said.
The Army commander said that strengthening the counter-infiltration grid along the LoC has led to the decrease in the levels of infiltration of militants into Kashmir valley. “Fighting militancy successfully requires a firm counter-infiltration grid so that the militants couldn’t come in. In 2013-14 not many militant groups succeeded in getting in. I do not mean that they could not infiltrate at all, but the numbers were negligible,” he added.
Lt Gen Chachra, who is demitting his office by the end of this month concluded his two-day visit to Kashmir valley today. He said there is complete peace along the LoC and Army is ready to face any challenge.
“The situation along the LoC is well under control. There is peace, we are vigilant, we are aware and ready to face all the challenges that are going to come in next few months,” he said.
The Army commander said that there is peace in Kashmir valley but security forces are ready to face any challenges posed by militants during summers this year. He said that strategy of tackling militancy in the hinder land worked in the past and security forces eliminated 16 top militant commanders in Kashmir valley during past nine months.
The GOC said that troops are conducting intelligence based, surgical operations aimed at causing minimum damage and disruption to the day to day life. “My directions are that there should be no collateral damage or human right violations even if militants have to be allowed to escape”, he said.
Lt Gen Chachra visited the Army formations along the LoC in Kashmir valley during his two day visit. He was briefed about the situation by senior Army officers along the LoC and by the General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps Lt General Gurmit Singh.
The Army commander met Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his visit to the Valley and briefed them about the security situation.
A Defense spokesman said there that Army Commander left for Udhampur after concluding his visit to Kashmir valley. He said that during his visit Army Commander reviewed overall security situation in Valley particularly along the LoC. “On May 23 & 24, he visited many forward posts in Kupwara and Baramulla divisions and interacted with officers and troops deployed there. He was briefed about the security situation on Line of Control and measures in place to check infiltration.”
The spokesman said that before departing to his Udhampur based Northern Command Headquarters, the Northern Army Commander paid rich tributes to the Martyrs by laying wreath at the Badami Bagh War Memorial in a solemn ceremony. “In a separate award ceremony organised at Badami Bagh, Army Commander awarded commendation cards to the persons of Army, JKP and BSF for their exemplary performances in Counter Terrorist operations and commitment to their duties”, he said.
“Army Commander expressed his satisfaction over his visit and lauded Chinar Corps in environmental security and sustaining peace in the Valley. He also extended his good wishes to the Awaam in general and youth in particular and wished for great future ahead. He hoped that the security forces will continue to get love and support from them”, the spokesman said.
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