Authorities brief Antony on Kashmir situation

Srinagar, Mar 30: Defence Minister A K Antony was given a detailed brief on overall security situation in the Kashmir valley, particularly on the Line of Control (LoC) where half a dozen infiltration attempts were foiled by troops this year.

A defence ministry spokesman said Mr Antony reviewed the security situation with senior security force officials during his one-day visit to Kashmir valley yesterday. He said the Minister expressed satisfaction over the improvement in the situation. Mr Antony lauded the security forces for vonducting successful counter insurgency operations in the valley in the recent past. Official sources said the minister was briefed about the recent infiltration attempts made by the Militants from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).

He was told about the encounters near the LoC in which the infiltrators were gunned down by alert troops in Keran and Karnah sectors immediately after they sneaked into this side.

The Defence Minister was also informed about the measures taken by the troops to foil such attempts in the summer when the snow on the infiltration routes would melt completely.

A senior security force official recently said more than 1500 militants were waiting across the LoC to cross over to this side.

UNI