RISING KASHMIR
I WONDER : IS BSF DEPLOYED ON LOC TOO?
Srinagar, Dec 20: Contrary to the claims being made by New Delhi that there has been a ‘significant increase’ in infiltration attempts by militants into Jammu and Kashmir, the statistics prepared by army reveals that the infiltration bids have witnessed a steep decline in 2009. It says that as against 80 infiltrators killed on Line of Control (LoC) in 2008, only 11 were killed this year.
According the figures obtained from Army’s Northern Command, the number of contacts with militants have reduced considerably along the Line of Control (LoC) this year.
Most of the infiltration bids have taken place in North Kashmir’s Gurez and Keran sector and Poonch and Rajouri sector in Jammu province.
The statistics compiled by army discloses that a total of 150 contacts were established with infiltrating militants on LoC in 2009. “This figure was on higher side in 2008 when 197 contacts were established,” the statistics reveal.
Similarly, as against 335 militant killed in 2008, only 236 militants have been killed along the LoC while trying to sneak into the State.
The statistics further reveal that 40 infiltration bids were foiled this year while 42 such bids were foiled in the previous year.
“80 infiltrating militants were killed on LoC in 2008 while in 2009, 11 militants have so far been killed while trying to breach the line,” it disclosed.
Meanwhile, the defense officials said the militants preferred Poonch and Rajouri sectors in Jammu province for sneaking into this side of LoC from Pakistani administered Kashmir. “The militants used the treacherous routes of Gurez, Tanghdar and Keran sector to sneak into Valley,” they said.
The officials said, unlike past, the militants used new strategy by making infiltration attempts as early as in March, when all the mountain peaks and ridges were covered with snow.
At least, 17 militants and eight troopers were killed in the five-day long gunfight in north Kashmir’s Hafrooda forests in March. In the same month, reports suggested that 80 militants supported by 40 porters crossed the snow laden LoC along the Gurez sector.
The defense officials said the militant action forced them to activate counter insurgency posts along the LoC during the winter months. “They remain abandoned for four months due to heavy snowfall on LoC, where sometimes snow exceeds 40 feet mark. At least seven RR troopers got killed in mid-April after avalanches hit military posts activated ahead of time by army due to infiltration of attempts,” they said.
The official said the strength of infiltrating groups has remained same. “The pattern has not changed. The strength of infiltrating militants groups ranged from 8 -12 except in some rare incidents where more men have infiltrated” they said.
Most of the infiltrating militants, according to officials, were engaged within some meters of LOC.
“We have placed surveillance equipment and increased our patrolling along the LOC,” they said.
Talking to Rising Kashmir recently, DGP Kuldip Khoda Police termed infiltration as a cause of concern. “The militants were making concerted efforts to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir to cause trouble,” he said.
On December 6, IG BSF Baljeet Singh said militants were making attempts to sneak into the LOC. He, however, said, there is no information about the militants waiting across the border to get into Kashmir.
However, Indian Army Chief, in his recent statement said, they have reports that 2000-2500 militants are awaiting to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir.
Home minister P Chidambaram told Rajya Sabha that violence in the State has come down but the infiltration is on. He said people are making desperate attempts to cross over LOC.
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