Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 29: Army and police have launched massive searches in Manjakote sector of Rajouri district following inputs given by the people that two groups of militants might have succeeded in infiltration into this side from Tarkundi forests on the intervening night of August 27 and 28.
Reliable sources revealed that the people living in the forward areas around Tarkundi forests in Manjakote sector in Rajouri district sounded Army and police yesterday about movement of the militants after which Army and police personnel launched a massive search operation.
However, no contact had been established with the militants so far.
Army didn’t confirm the reports of successful infiltration but admitted conducting searches in Manjakote sector.
IGP Jammu Rajesh Kumar said: “we are maintaining alert in the areas falling along the LoC. We are looking for every suspect. As firing between India and Pakistan continued for over 20 days, we have to be alert to thwart any mischief’’’. However, he added, police hasn’t received any report of successful infiltration so far.
According to sources, the locals had observed movement of two groups of militants around Tarkundi forests in Manjakote sector early yesterday. Immediately thereafter Army and police started massive searches in entire Manjakote sector to track down the militants, if any.
SSP Rajouri Mubassir Latifi said: “we are on the job. Searches are being conducted. So far, there had been no contact with any militant. The report of infiltration can’t be corroborated unless movement of the militants was observed’’.
Sources said since Balakote sector of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district also shared boundaries with Manjakote sector of Rajouri, Army in Balakote and local police have also launched searches in the area.
It may be reported here that during 22 days long consecutive firing on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri sectors, which had ceased only three days back, there had been reports that Pakistan Army was trying to facilitate infiltration by armed groups of militants. However, alert troops had thwarted the intrusion bids.
There had been reports that during 22 days of ceasefire violations, the militants had come very close to launching pads across the Line of Control in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) with a view to sneak into this side. Number of the militants in search of infiltration to this side has touched around 150. All of them were stationed across Rajouri and Poonch sectors.
There had also been inputs that the commanders of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen outfits were personally monitoring the launching pads to ensure that the militants were pushed into this side before the onset of winter as next year both Parliament and Assembly elections were scheduled to be held in the State and the militants were bent upon to create disturbances during that period.
Sources said police have asked the villagers living in forward areas along the LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch to keep a strict vigil on movement of any outside and sound Army or police if any strangers were spotted in their areas.
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