Infiltration from PoK may increase this summer: Army Chief

Srinagar, May 9 (UNI) Chief of the Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor today expressed apprehension that infiltration from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) may increase in the summer months.

The infiltration from across the border during 2006 and 2007 was almost same, General Kapoor told newspersons at Tangdar after inaugurated a hostel for students.

He said according to different sources, about 343 militants infiltrated into this side from PoK in 2006 while the number was 311 last year.

General Kapoor said the infiltration routes were still closed due to heavy snowfall.

Once the snow melted, militants waiting across would try to snake into this side, he said.

However, he said troops guarding the border are on heavy alert to foil any such attempt .

The army chief said their could be more infiltration attempts here because of general assembly elections later this year. However, he expressed hope that election would be peaceful and people would exercise their democratic right in a peaceful atmosphere.

UNI BAS YSS GL AS2004