Militants waiting to infiltrate into Kashmir: BSF

Srinagar, Jan 30: Border Security Force on Friday said there were attempts by militants from across the border to infiltrate into Kashmir, but asserted that the force is alert and would not give any opportunity to the guerrillas to cross.

"There are attempts from across the border and these attempts are not going to die down. They (militants) are waiting for an opportunity (to infiltrate into Kashmir) but our duty is to not let them succeed and we will not give them an opportunity," Inspector General, BSF, Kashmir Frontier, P S Sandhu told reporters.

He said the launch pads across the border were full and the number of militants in training camps had not decreased.

"The number of men in training camps has not lessened and their launch pads are full. But we are always alert and we will not let them succeed," he said.

The IG BSF was talking to reporters after passing-out parade at the subsidiary training centre of the force on the outskirts of the city here. As many as 333 constables were inducted into BSF today after 44 weeks of rigorous training at the centre.

"They were put through various dimensions and aspects of training, involving physical fitness and mental robustness, effective use of arms, map reading and maintaining utmost discipline. Training was also imparted in field engineering, filed craft, minor tactics, anti-terrorism, counterinsurgency, commando operations and respect for human rights," a BSF spokesman said.

He said the training centre was established in 1990 to impart basic training to recruits and cater to the training needs of BSF in Kashmir.

The Centre has so far trained 14326 recruits, 938 communication personnel and 4307 group "C" staff, which include 2,177 Kashmiri youth (including surrendered militants), the spokesman said.

PTI