Infiltration of trained terrorists from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir is up by more than one hundred per cent in 2016.
According to the multi agency center (MAC)—which collates inputs from the army, paramilitary forces and the intelligence agencies— at least 75 terrorists have entered the state as compared to 30 militants in 2015.
Even according to the figures tabled by MoS (Home) Hansraj Ahir in the Rajya Sabha, there were 90 such attempts in the first six months of 2016, of which 54 were successful. Since July 15, the Army has foiled at least 14 such attempts. In comparison, 2015 saw 31 successful attempts.
The infiltration attempt at the Samba sector on Tuesday is a confirmation of the Army’s assessment that the snows are not likely to deter terrorists from making their way into Jammu and Kashmir.
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Heavy snowfall makes for a formidable trek across the LoC but Lt Gen Satish Dua, Corps Commander, 15 Corps, told HT, just before demitting office, “We expect a more difficult winter because of the heightened state of alert after the surgical strikes and are prepared for any misadventure from Pakistan.”
The increase in infiltration numbers is only a part of the problem the security forces are gearing up for. “Pakistan is sending in trained militants not only to exploit the ground situation in Kashmir, which is still locked down after four months of protests, but is also consistently targeting the forces along the Line of Control and in the hinterland,’’ a senior intelligence officer said. Apart from ceasefire violations, the state has also seen terror attacks, including the one at Uri in September that killed 19 soldiers and another at the Nagrota camp in Jammu on Tuesday.
{{/usCountry}}The increase in infiltration numbers is only a part of the problem the security forces are gearing up for. “Pakistan is sending in trained militants not only to exploit the ground situation in Kashmir, which is still locked down after four months of protests, but is also consistently targeting the forces along the Line of Control and in the hinterland,’’ a senior intelligence officer said. Apart from ceasefire violations, the state has also seen terror attacks, including the one at Uri in September that killed 19 soldiers and another at the Nagrota camp in Jammu on Tuesday.
{{/usCountry}}As indicated by defence minister Manohar Parrikar, terrorists are training their guns, not on civilians, but on security forces. The army, deployed along the line of control, has been particularly targeted since the surgical strikes on September 29.