Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 18: Despite strict vigil along the Line of Control (LoC) to foil infiltration of militants from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), around 80 militants have sneaked in this year while security forces achieved major successes against them by killing 133 militants including 7 top commanders.
As per the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) figures, around 80 militants have infiltrated into Kashmir till July this year from PoK. These militants mostly infiltrated from Keran, Gurez, Machil and Nowgam sectors of Kashmir and majority of them are in North Kashmir.
Last year as per MAC figures, 114 militants infiltrated into Kashmir which was highest since 2014. As per MAC figures, 35 militants infiltrated into Kashmir in 2015, 65 in 2014, 97 in 2013, 121 in 2012, 52 in 2011, 82 in 2010, 99 infiltrated in 2009 and 27 in 2008.
Last year, there were no reports of infiltration of militants into Kashmir till April and but this year some groups managed to sneak in when the peaks were covered in snow in January and February.
After the infiltration of militants in winter this year, Army along the LoC was put on heightened alert as security agencies had inputs that the militant outfits across wanted to push in more militants this year. The vigil along the LoC was increased and patrolling was intensified to foil the infiltration attempts.
Sources said that the militant groups carried out and are carrying reconnaissance along the LoC regularly but the tight vigil along LoC by the Army and regular patrols prevented and are preventing them from sneaking in.
Army also deployed more troops in the forest areas near the LoC to put pressure on the militant groups from transporting the infiltrating militant groups into hinterland. The troops deployed in the forests neutralized several militant groups after they managed to sneak in.
Sources said that around 300 militants are on launch pads mostly in Neelam Valley area of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). These militants had started gathering this year in winter only as compared to previous year’s when they were waiting for the snow to melt.
And security forces have also achieved major successes this year and eliminated 133 militants so far including 7 top commanders. Majority of them were killed in last two months after security forces launched massive offensive in South Kashmir. Last year 150 were killed in Kashmir while 108 militants were killed in 2015, 110 in 2014, 67 in 2013, 72 in 2012 and 100 in 2011.
Despite the killing of 133 militants this year, sources said that 135 are operating in Kashmir and operations against them has been intensified.
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