Summers in the Valley bring cheer to people, but for the security forces the melting snow raises fears of infiltration, and consequent terror attacks.
On Monday, an LeT militant was killed and an army personnel injured in a fierce gunfight in Sopore town of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, GOC 15 Corp, said on Sunday Osama bin Laden’s killing might force “Pakistan to push more militants into the Valley”.
The army also has gathered information about infiltrations from intercepted messages between militants and their handlers across the border. Sources told HT that around 40 militants had already crossed over to the India side this year.
The largest group comprising 22 militants came in April. “Around 12 Hizbul Mujahideen and 10 LeT militants are hiding in the forests of Bandipora area in north Kashmir and are waiting to carry out terror attacks,” sources said.
Lt Gen Hasnain, however, assured that the Indian Army was alert. “The army is already on an alert to thwart any such attempt,” he added. He also said there was no tension between Indian and Pakistani troops on the Line of Control.