Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 10: General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Srinagar based Chinar Corps Lt General Gurmit Singh today said that security agencies in Kashmir are working in a well coordinated manner to take on the challenge posed by the infiltration of militants from Pakistan.
While interacting with the reporters on the sidelines of a function at Rengreth in the outskirts of Srinagar, the Army Commander said: “Infiltration threat is there. There are training camps and launch pads which are active in Pakistan occupied Kashmir. We have effective intelligence in place. We have got a synergized intelligence grid with all the agencies and we will take on the challenge.”
Lt Gen Singh lauded the efforts of the Army along the Line of Control (LoC) to foil infiltration attempts of the militants. He said that their alertness ensured that the infiltration attempt by militants to sneak into Kashmir through Keran sector of Kupwara was foiled yesterday.
“It was because the troops were alert that the attempt to infiltrate in Keran sector was foiled and five terrorists were eliminated,” said Singh.
The General said that security situation in Kashmir is under control. “Our entire counter infiltration methodology and procedures and drill are being executed well”, he added.
The GOC said Army has learnt lessons from the militant attack in Hyderpora area of Srinagar ahead of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit last month in which eight personnel were killed and several others were injured.
“It was an unfortunate incident. We have also learnt our lessons and you would notice that Hyderpora is intense built up area. You would appreciate that the soldiers exercised utmost restraint, there was no collateral damage. There are some standard operating procedures we have identified. The court of Inquiry is going on. There are certain areas of intelligence we are trying to focus,” said Lt General Singh.
On revocation of Armed Forces Special Forces Act (AFSPA), the Army Commander said that Army has made its stand clear. “We have made our stand known to the higher authorities”, he said.
The General said there is excellent synergy between the various security forces operating in Kashmir to counter the challenges with regard to security scenario. “We also have the support of the people who assist us in intelligence gathering process. Jammu and Kashmir police also has got an excellent intelligence network,” he added.
About the number of militant training camps and launch pads active on other side of LoC, the GOC said the numbers did not matter as effective intelligence would help in overcoming the challenge.
“I would not like to go into the number of training camps and launch pads. What is of importance to me is to have intelligence about the intentions, capability and plans of the militants. I am satisfied with the intelligence efforts we have produced. The operation in Keran sector is an indication that intelligence system is in place,” the General said.
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