Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Apr 23: With major part of the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir still buried under snow, militants over the last three weeks have conducted frequent recces in Gurez sector for infiltration.
Sources said that the Army have noticed frequent militant movements near the LoC in Gurez sector where the LoC is still buried under several feet snow. They said that these militants are finding it difficult as Army is on high alert even in snow bound areas of the LoC inputs that militants will target snow bound areas for infiltration.
Militants are targeting Gurez at the time when the 400 kilometer long LoC in Kashmir is under snow. Sources said that the infiltrators who are waiting at the launch pads across the LoC are well equipped with Swiss-made snow clothing and boots, digital navigation consoles, satellite phones, high-energy food, besides arms and ammunitions.
Army has recovered this type of equipment from the infiltrators who were killed in Toot Mari Gali (TMG) sector of the LoC in North Kashmir’s Handwara area last year in December during the Assembly elections.
Last year, as per the army, data 65 militants managed to cross the LoC, mostly in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district through Keran, Tanghdar, Macchil and Gurez sectors. However, over the years due to the strengthening of the counter-infiltration grid along the LoC, the infiltration has come down.
The Army data reveals that in 2014, 65 militants managed to infiltrate into Kashmir while in 2013, the figure was at 97, in 2012 it was 121, in 2011 52, in 2010 82, in 2009 99, in 2008 27, in 2007 285, in 2006 251 and in 2005 it was 273.
Sources said that the militants are desperate to infiltrate into Kashmir even in snow as the militant commanders across the LoC want maximum infiltration but strong counter-infiltration grid is making it difficult for them.
This year Army is further strengthening the counter-infiltration grid by installing a comprehensive system in which there is everything like surveillance system and alarm system. This has been installed at several places on trial bases and a senior Army officer said that it will be effective in countering the infiltration. He said once the snow melts its installation will start on the entire LoC.
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