Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 13: General Officer Commanding (GOC), 16 Corps, Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar said today that a number of militants continued to sit across the Line of Control (LoC), camping at the launching pads, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into this side but alert Indian Army hasn’t allowed their plans to succeed.
In a brief chat with newspersons during ‘Rajouri Day’ celebrations in Rajouri this morning, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar, who had gone to the border district to join the celebrations and boost morale of the troops, said there was no “specific time” of the militants for infiltration as they continued to wait for intrusion bid.
“You can’t say, they (the militants) will make infiltration attempts when the snow melts. Though the snow will start melting some days afterwards but the militants are always in search of opportunity to infiltrate. They don’t wait for melting of snow. They try to infiltrate every time but our brave and alert troops don’t allow them to succeed,” the GOC Nagrota based 16 Corps, said.
The General said there were inputs available with the Army that a number of militants were camping on other side of the LoC (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) along launching pads waiting for infiltration through twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. However, he added, the Army was well aware of the militant designs and will not allow them to succeed.
“We are well versed with the militants’ plan. They can attempt infiltration any time but we will not allow them to enter into this side,’’ he added.
Replying to a question on yesterday’s flag meeting between India and Pakistan at Chakan-Da-Bagh on Poonch-Rawlakote route in Poonch district, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said the focus of the flag meeting was to maintain peace and tranquility on the LoC, which was going on since past September when the last Brigade Commander level flag meeting was held barring Shahpur incident recently.
He said Army wants to maintain peace along the LoC, which was in the interest of all including people living on both sides of LoC.
Only few days back, Pakistan Army had broken nearly six months long ceasefire on the LoC in Shahpur sector of Poonch district by resorting to heavy mortar shelling and firing on the forwards Indian villages causing damage to six houses and an Alto car. The Indian side had retaliated effectively, silencing the Pakistani guns.
The Commanding Officers level flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh yesterday had reiterated commitment by both the sides to maintain peace and tranquility along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts. The meeting had reaffirmed the commitment to September 21 Brigade Commander level meeting in which both sides had agreed to stick to ceasefire agreement of 2003.
Responding to another question on upcoming joint military exercises between India and United States and whether some of the exercises could take place in the area falling under jurisdiction of 16 Corps, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said the Indo-US Army exercises are regular annual feature.
“If any of the area under our jurisdiction is selected for joint exercises, we will have no problems. We are ready for it,” he said but made it clear that selecting any area for exercises depends on the Defence Ministry.
Lt Gen Nimbhorkar actively participated in the Rajouri Day celebrations.
JAMMU, Apr 13: General Officer Commanding (GOC), 16 Corps, Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar said today that a number of militants continued to sit across the Line of Control (LoC), camping at the launching pads, waiting for an opportunity to sneak into this side but alert Indian Army hasn’t allowed their plans to succeed.
In a brief chat with newspersons during ‘Rajouri Day’ celebrations in Rajouri this morning, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar, who had gone to the border district to join the celebrations and boost morale of the troops, said there was no “specific time” of the militants for infiltration as they continued to wait for intrusion bid.
“You can’t say, they (the militants) will make infiltration attempts when the snow melts. Though the snow will start melting some days afterwards but the militants are always in search of opportunity to infiltrate. They don’t wait for melting of snow. They try to infiltrate every time but our brave and alert troops don’t allow them to succeed,” the GOC Nagrota based 16 Corps, said.
The General said there were inputs available with the Army that a number of militants were camping on other side of the LoC (Pakistan occupied Kashmir) along launching pads waiting for infiltration through twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. However, he added, the Army was well aware of the militant designs and will not allow them to succeed.
“We are well versed with the militants’ plan. They can attempt infiltration any time but we will not allow them to enter into this side,’’ he added.
Replying to a question on yesterday’s flag meeting between India and Pakistan at Chakan-Da-Bagh on Poonch-Rawlakote route in Poonch district, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said the focus of the flag meeting was to maintain peace and tranquility on the LoC, which was going on since past September when the last Brigade Commander level flag meeting was held barring Shahpur incident recently.
He said Army wants to maintain peace along the LoC, which was in the interest of all including people living on both sides of LoC.
Only few days back, Pakistan Army had broken nearly six months long ceasefire on the LoC in Shahpur sector of Poonch district by resorting to heavy mortar shelling and firing on the forwards Indian villages causing damage to six houses and an Alto car. The Indian side had retaliated effectively, silencing the Pakistani guns.
The Commanding Officers level flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh yesterday had reiterated commitment by both the sides to maintain peace and tranquility along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts. The meeting had reaffirmed the commitment to September 21 Brigade Commander level meeting in which both sides had agreed to stick to ceasefire agreement of 2003.
Responding to another question on upcoming joint military exercises between India and United States and whether some of the exercises could take place in the area falling under jurisdiction of 16 Corps, Lt Gen Nimbhorkar said the Indo-US Army exercises are regular annual feature.
“If any of the area under our jurisdiction is selected for joint exercises, we will have no problems. We are ready for it,” he said but made it clear that selecting any area for exercises depends on the Defence Ministry.
Lt Gen Nimbhorkar actively participated in the Rajouri Day celebrations.
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