IS trying to gain hold in PoK: Indian Army

Jammu, July 3: The Islamic State (IS) terrorist group is attempting to gain a foothold in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) even as the terror infrastructure across the border was intact, a senior army officer said on Friday.

"Whatever inputs we have...Islamic State is definitely trying to gain a foothold in the area (PoK)," the General Officer Commanding (GoC), 16 Corps, Lt. General K.H. Singh, said on the sidelines of 'Jhangar Day' at Noushera in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The GoC also said that the terror infrastructure on the other side of border was intact and around 200 to 225 militants stationed at 36 launchpads across the Pir Panjal range were waiting to cross over to the Indian side.

"The terror infrastructure across the border is intact and training camps are still active," Lt. General K.H. Singh said.

The comment comes days after a masked youth waved a flag of the international terror group during a rally organised by separatist group Ummati Islami to commemorate the death anniversary of separatist leader Qazi Nisar Ahmad in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

'Jhangar Day' is observed to commemorate the sacrifice of Brigadier Mohammad Usman, who was martyred during the 1947-48 operation in the Noushera sector.

Brigadier Usman played a pivotal role as commander of 50 Parachute Brigade, during the recapture of Jhangar and the battle of Nowshera, which earned him the titles of 'Hero of Jhangar' and 'Saviour of Nowshera'.

He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. A memorial has been built at the very place in Jhangar where Brigadier Mohd Usman sacrificed his life during the Indo-Pak War of 1947-48.

IANS