NEW DELHI: The Army has intensified its counter-insurgency operations in the higher reaches of J&K following increased attempts of militants to sneak in from across the Line of Control (LoC). It is estimated that about 300 militants are waiting at launch pads, a senior Army officer said here.
There is a change of strategy this time with terrorist handlers across the border having made multiple launch pads across the LoC to divert the attention of India troops while trying to push in militants. Pakistani troops have violated ceasefire several times to provide cover fire to these terrorists.
In the last two months, at least 10 to 12 infiltration bids have been made each month, an Army officer said. In fact, India has taken up the matter with the US - which is highly engaged with Pakistan with its anti-Taliban operations - to put pressure on the latter to dismantle the terrorist training camps in PoK.
The issue of infiltration will also be discussed during two-day infantry commanders' conference in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, beginning on September 14.
Meanwhile, home minister P Chidambaram said in Washington on Friday that he has sensitised the US leadership about India's concerns on infiltration. He said: "We make estimates based upon human intelligence and technical intelligence. The numbers are now running at about 50 to 60 (terrorists) a month."
The current year has already witnessed more infiltration than in 2008. Against a figure of 57 last year, the first three months of the current year alone saw over 70 terrorists managing to sneak into J&K, according to intelligence estimates. The highest, of course, was reported in March when about 67 came into India. The total number of infiltration attempts were as many as 190 in the first few months.
Though most of the infiltration attempts have been foiled, officials believe on an average a dozen militants in smaller groups are successful in breaching the security net.
The Army has redeployed troops at strategic points along the LoC and enhanced surveillance to frustrate the terrorists' attempts. Army officers said though the infiltration was timed around the Lok Sabha elections, some spillover effect of the action against Taliban in Swat and North West Frontier Province may have resulted in this enhanced bid to push terrorists into India.
The Army has deployed more technical equipment for surveillance even at most difficult places keeping the LoC under active patrolling and surveillance at all times.
There is a change of strategy this time with terrorist handlers across the border having made multiple launch pads across the LoC to divert the attention of India troops while trying to push in militants. Pakistani troops have violated ceasefire several times to provide cover fire to these terrorists.
In the last two months, at least 10 to 12 infiltration bids have been made each month, an Army officer said. In fact, India has taken up the matter with the US - which is highly engaged with Pakistan with its anti-Taliban operations - to put pressure on the latter to dismantle the terrorist training camps in PoK.
The issue of infiltration will also be discussed during two-day infantry commanders' conference in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, beginning on September 14.
Meanwhile, home minister P Chidambaram said in Washington on Friday that he has sensitised the US leadership about India's concerns on infiltration. He said: "We make estimates based upon human intelligence and technical intelligence. The numbers are now running at about 50 to 60 (terrorists) a month."
The current year has already witnessed more infiltration than in 2008. Against a figure of 57 last year, the first three months of the current year alone saw over 70 terrorists managing to sneak into J&K, according to intelligence estimates. The highest, of course, was reported in March when about 67 came into India. The total number of infiltration attempts were as many as 190 in the first few months.
Though most of the infiltration attempts have been foiled, officials believe on an average a dozen militants in smaller groups are successful in breaching the security net.
The Army has redeployed troops at strategic points along the LoC and enhanced surveillance to frustrate the terrorists' attempts. Army officers said though the infiltration was timed around the Lok Sabha elections, some spillover effect of the action against Taliban in Swat and North West Frontier Province may have resulted in this enhanced bid to push terrorists into India.
The Army has deployed more technical equipment for surveillance even at most difficult places keeping the LoC under active patrolling and surveillance at all times.
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