Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Jan 30: The Border Security Forces (BSF) today said that troops along the Line of Control (LoC) have not lowered their guard despite snowfall along infiltration routes.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of passing out parade of 333 recruits at Humhama in district Budgam, Inspector General of BSF, Kashmir, P S Sandhu told reporters that infiltration routes are full of snow and troops have not lowered their guard.
“The infiltration routes are full of snow but there was no question of lowering the guard as troops are always on high alert”, said the IG BSF.
Sandhu said that counter infiltration grid is in full command to foil any attempt by militants to sneak into this side.
The IG said a large number of militants are still present in training camps and launch pads in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). “Our troops are vigilant, alert and pro-active to foil any attempt by militants to sneak into this side from Line of Control (LoC),” he added.
Sandhu said BSF and Army have total coordination on the LoC to meet any challenge from across the border. “We share intelligence and other reports with each other and are ready for any challenge,” he added.
The IG when asked whether he too has information that there were 150 to 160 militants in launch pads waiting for an opportunity to cross over to the this side as recently mentioned by Lt Gen Subrata Saha, GOC, 15 Corps, said there is absolutely no change as training camps are still operating in the PoK where militants are being trained.
Sandhu said the training camps in PoK and launch pads near LoC are full of militants who are waiting an opportunity to sneak into this side. He said that security forces are on alert to foil any infiltration attempt.
Asked about the internal security, the IG said BSF was not involved in any counter insurgency operation in the Valley. “Our role is confined to LoC only.”
It may be mentioned here that as the militants across the LoC are desperate to sneak into Kashmir valley, the troops along the LoC have not lowered their guard. The regular patrols in the 5 kilometer belt along the LoC are on despite snowfall.
Normally snow is the major barrier for the infiltrators but over the years they have acquired sophisticated gadgets to sneak in snow.
The decision of no lowering of the guard during the winter was taken after the last year’s attack in Mohra Army camp in which 11 security men including Lt Colonel of Army was killed. The infiltrators managed to cross the LoC in Uri sector and targeted an Army camp.
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