Violence Levels Down; Militants Operating from Foreign Havens: JJ

New Delhi, Jan 12 (UNI) Despite the security forces having successfully brought down violence levels in Jammu&Kashmir and the insurgency-prone North-eastern states, terrorists continue to operate -- from havens across the international borders.

While infiltration across the Line of Control in J&K had reduced tremendously, terrorists trained across the border continued to enter the country from points elsewhere -- through neighbouring Nepal and Bangladesh and points south of the LoC, sources in the Army Headquarters here indicated.

In the country's north-east also, militants -- especially of the ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom) -- had found safe havens in Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan and were operating with impunity.

New Delhi had taken up the matter with the respective Governments through diplomatic channels but -- save for Bhutan -- not much had been achieved so far, the sources pointed out.

Army Chief General JJ Singh today confirmed the reports about ULFA cadres operating from across the border and India having raised the issue with the Governments there. Gen Singh was talking to mediapersons here at a customary Army Day-eve interaction.

In J&K, the level of infiltration had gone down considerably but increased significantly elsewhere in the country, the Army Chief said.

As for the successes in the militancy-hit state, he said security forces killed 587 militants during the past year besides capturing 426 -- yet another 221 surrendered.

In comparison, the security forces lost 78 soldiers resulting in a 7.2:1 attrition ratio -- a marked improvement over previous years.

Besides, there were no allegations of human rights violations during 2006, said a seemingly satisfied Army Chief.

UNI