Srinagar: The Indian Army is increasingly using the latest aerial and ground-based sensors and surveillance equipment to check infiltration of terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
This development, which has yielded successful results in the form of 3 infiltration bids being foiled in 4 days this week, marks bad news for Pakistan that has stepped up attempts to push terrorists into this side of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to top officials of the Indian Army, the Pakistan Army has brought hundreds of trained terrorists close to the LoC and positioned them at launch pads, waiting for a chance to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir.
Around 100-120 terrorists are stationed opposite Kashmir’s Baramulla sector alone, said Major Gen Ajay Chandpuri, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of 19 Infantry Division, which mans the 100-km part of the LoC.
Three armed terrorists, believed to be Pakistanis, were killed yesterday in Uri area of this sector, near the LoC while they were trying to sneak into the valley.
General Chandpuri told reporters in Baramulla today that infiltration attempts were on despite the ceasefire along the LoC being in place.
He said there were 100-120 terrorists present at 15-20 launchpads close to LoC on the Pakistani side and they were waiting for opportunity to infiltrate.
The assessment of the number of terrorists has been made on the basis of multiple inputs, he said.
“The LoC is over 740 kms which includes very difficult terrain,” Gen Chandpuri said, adding that the weather is also very bad in those areas.
“With each passing day, the level of technology, the level of alertness is improving. So, the infiltration has come down significantly, which is also indicated by the peace on the hinterland,” he said.
“So, we feel they (Pakistan) are getting more and more desperate to push these people from any way possible,” he added.
Talking about yesterday’s operation, he said the elimination of 3 infiltrating terrorists within minutes sends a clear signal of the level of preparedness of the troops on the LoC.
Col Raghavendra, whose unit carried out the operation, said the movement of the militants was ascertained by using the latest aerial and ground-based sensors and surveillance equipment.
He said the built of the three slain terrorists showed they had undergone formal military training.
He said the operation was carried out in extremely challenging conditions like difficult terrain and extremely foggy weather with heavy rain.
“Besides the entire area is mined,” he added.
“At around 8:45 am (on Thursday), the terrorists came into the killing ground at 40-50 metres from the own ambush. At that moment, the own ambush engaged with the terrorists by firing on them, & in the brief exchange of 15 minutes, three Pak terrorists were neutralized,” Col Raghavendra said.
Two AK rifles and one Chinese M-16 gun along with their ammunition and other stores were recovered.
All the latest and the new generation surveillance equipment and weapons were put to optimal use during the course of the operation, he said.
General Chandpuri said the terrorists were not carrying any documents which could help establish their identity.
“It is our assessment, that before pushing these terrorists for infiltration, their IDs were taken away from them and they were not in possession of any IDs as such. So, we are not aware of the exact identities of these people,” the GOC said.
