Infiltration on rise, militancy shows a decline in Kashmir: Antony

New Delhi, Aug.8 (ANI): Defence minister A.K. Antony on Saturday said there has been a surge in the incidents of infiltration from across the border from Pakistan side since last month even though there has been a substantial decline in militancy in Kashmir.

"Actually the militancy in J andK (Jammu and Kashmir) has come down substantially. But last one month, suddenly, tendency of increase of infiltration is there," said A.K. Antony, the Defence Minister while talking to mediamen in the national capital.

Antony opined that a constant vigilance is a must in Kashmir as infiltration generally is on rise with the onset of winters.

"Normally, always in J andK, before the onset of winters there is some rise. So its matter of concern. I said many a times even though the atmosphere is improving we cant have complacency in J andK, eternal vigilance is needed. We cannot take any decision regarding J andK in a hasty manner," said Antony.

On Wednesday, the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid by militants at Jabbi post near the Line of Control (LoC) in Mandi sector of Kashmir.

Army stated that eight suspected militants were killed in gun battles when they were trying to infiltrate into Kashmir from the Pakistani side.

Meanwhile, the first clash erupted on Tuesday (August 04) after soldiers surrounded a group of heavily armed militants in Tangdhar sector near the Line of Control (LoC).

In a separate fire-fight, a senior member of Hizbul Mujahideen, Kashmir's largest militant group, was shot dead by troops in Doda district of Kashmir, police said. (ANI)