The Army on Sunday apprehended infiltration and escalation in violence in coming months in Kashmir but asserted that the troops were prepared to meet the challenge.
"This is going to be hot summer terrorism-wise in Kashmir as approximately 300 militants are active in the valley while another 400 are waiting in wings in Pakistan occupied Kashmir to cross over to this side to step up violence," Brigadier General Staff 15th Corps Gurmeet Singh told reporters in Srinagar.
However, he said there was no need to panic, as the Army troops are well prepared and equipped to meet the challenge.
"Approximately, 42 training camps were intact across the border. Of them 34 are active and 400 militants are waiting for an opportunity to cross over to this side from 20 launching pads," Brigadier Singh said.
He said the Army had prior information about the recent infiltration bid made by militants in Keran sector of Kupwara district.
"We were prepared for this and eliminated 8 terrorists in Keran sector from March 24 till March 27. The mixed group of militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen comprising eight terrorists were eliminated", Singh said, adding the infiltrators were foreigners.
"This year, we have killed 28 terrorists in the valley which also includes those killed in the counter terrorist grid in the hinterland," the Brigadier said.
When asked why operation is still going on in the Keran sector when all eight infiltrators were killed, Singh said, "Operation is still on. The area is being searched and we are checking the entire area for our satisfaction."
{{/usCountry}}When asked why operation is still going on in the Keran sector when all eight infiltrators were killed, Singh said, "Operation is still on. The area is being searched and we are checking the entire area for our satisfaction."
{{/usCountry}}Asked whether Taliban activists were among the mixed group of militants waiting to cross over to this side, Singh said, "there is no cumulative information about Taliban among the terrorists waiting to cross over to this side."
Refuting media reports that 16 infiltration bids had taken place during this year, the Army officer said, "In our zone of operation it was the first infiltration bid (March 24). The area of infiltration is high altitude with rugged mountains and is snow-clad, currently having 12-15 feet of snow".