300 militants infiltrate, 112 surrender near LoC

Srinagar, Dec 16: The infiltration from across the border has come down as only 300 militants sneaked into this side from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) this year, GOC 15 corps Lt General A S Sekhon today said.

One hundred and twelve militnts surrendered after their return from PoK.

However, the entire militant infrastructure, including training camps, launching pads and communication hubs were intact across the Line of Control (LoC), Lt Gen A S Sekhon said.

Talking to reporters on the occasion of Vijay Diwas at the headquarters of the 15 corps here today, Lt General Sekhon said the infiltration from across the border had come down as compared to previous years.

Putting together all the intelligence inputs, about 300 militants have sneaked into this side from PoK this year, he said adding the figure was much higher in the past.

He said the infiltration was coming down with each passing year and there are several reasons responsible for it.

Besides border fencing, we have formed an effective infiltration control grid on the LoC, Lt General Sekhon said adding the troops guarding the border have been equipped with latest equipments, including Night Vision Device (NVD) which helps them keep a close vigil on the movement on other side of the border.

He said the fencing has been damaged due to snowfall in the past and at present it is under snow. But, he said, still the fencing has proved very effective to control the militant movement.

A positive trend has emerged this year as about 112 militants had surrendered before the troops immediately after their return from PoK, he said adding more and more militants, who had received arms training in different camps across the border, wanted to return, surrender and lead a normal life.

Lt General Sekhon said besides being fed up with the violence, the Kashmiri militants still in PoK and Pakistan, are now feeling insecure there.

They are being doubted and mistrusted by the organisers of these camps, he said and added that leaders of different outfits are living lavish lives.

The Kashmiri militants in these camps have no substitute but to return back and join the national mainstream. The authorities will provide them all possible help to restart normal life again, he promised.

He said the intelligence reports and the disclosures made by the militants who returned here from POK clearly indicate that the infrastructure for training militants was intact.

The training camps are still there where youths from different parts of Pakistan and other countries are being trained, launching pads are there from where the militants are being pushed into this side and outfits operating in the valley are getting daily instruction through the communication hubs set up on other side of the LoC, Lt General Sekhon said.

He said taking into account all this, the guard on the LoC cannot be lowered.

UNI