Israel, India to Discuss Counter-Terrorism

New Delhi, June 8 (UNI) A high-level Israeli military delegation is slated to visit India next week to discuss counter-terrorism and anti-infiltration strategies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources in the Defence Ministry -- preferring to keep to upcoming visit hish-hush -- said the delegation -- to be led by Israeli Deputy Chief of General Staff Major General Moshe Kaplinsky -- will be visiting some places in Jammu&Kashmir, including the Nagrota Headquarters of the 16 Corps -- responsible for guarding the Line of Control south of the Pir Panjal range.

The Israeli visit comes at a time when the LoC has suddenly become hot with terrorists making concerted efforts to sneak into India from across the border. Officials in the Army point to a two to three-fold jump in infiltration during April and May this year compared to the corresponding periods in 2005 and 2006.

''In May alone, 11 terrorists were killed in seven infiltration bids foiled by our soldiers along LoC... But many crossings go undetected'', the sources admitted.

Army chief General JJ Singh himself said on Wednesday last that there were reports to show that ''some elements'' of the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were giving ''support'' to infiltrating terrorists.

The visiting Israeli delegation will also hold talks with Gen JJ Singh, Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal FH Major and Defence Secretary Shekhar Dutt, among others, on each other's ''security perspectives''. They will also visit the Western Naval Command at Mumbai.

According to the sources, the Israelis -- arriving here on Tuesday -- will share their experiences of tackling infiltration and terrorism. They will also review the functioning of the large number of Israeli-origin anti-infiltration and night-vision devices deployed along the LoC.

The Army uses a wide array of surveillance devices, ranging from unattended ground sensors and HHTIs (hand-held thermal imagers) to LORROS (long-range reconnaissance and observation systems) and BFSRs (battlefield surveillance radars) -- most of these procured from Israel.

Israel is India's second largest and fastest growing defence and strategic partner. During 2006 alone, India bought Israeli military equipment worth 1.6 Billion Dollars. Besides, several big procurements and joint Research&Development (R&D) projects are underway between the two countries -- ranging from more advanced missiles and anti-missile defence systems to high-altitude as well as man-portable UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and radars.

Israel has also supplied crucial defence equipment/armament to the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy including state-of-the-art fighter jet avionics, missile defence systems, and UAVs. It is now set to bid for and win major defence contracts in the coming 18-24 months.

India's planned procurement of 126 multi-role combat aircraft for the IAF in a deal estimated to be over 6.5 Billion Dollars will also have an Israeli imprint.

Officials hold that whatever fighter -- the F-16, F/A-18, Rafale, Typhoon, Gripen or MiG-35 -- bags this contract, it will have to go in for Israeli avionics. ''We want the new fighters to be on the same grid as our Sukhoi-30MKIs, Jaguars and MiGs, all of which have Israeli avionics'', said the sources.

UNI