Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 18: Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF), Jammu Frontiers, SS Tomar said today that recent ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army on the Line of Control (LoC) were aimed at keeping ‘K (Kashmir) factor’ alive and added that despite peace on the International Border (IB) in Jammu sector the BSF was maintaining alert of “highest order’’ on the borders to keep the infiltrations under complete check.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function organised at the BSF Headquarters at Paloura in connection with flag off ceremony of 40 students for ‘Bharat darshan’ tour, Mr Tomar, who had recently taken charges as the IG BSF Jammu, said: “though there were no ceasefire violation on the IB for the last 40 days, the ceasefire violations on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts by Pakistan Army were aimed at keeping the ‘K factor’ alive’’.
Worthwhile to mention here that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has recently set up ‘K (Kashmir) Cell’ in Pakistan to highlight the issue at the international level. After the take over of Pakistan’s reign of affairs by Mr Sharif, the ceasefire violations along the LoC have gone up tremendously. Five Army soldiers and a BSF jawan have been killed on the LoC and IB respectively while 11 persons including civilians and security personnel have been injured in the firing since August 6.
Asserting that ceasefire violations have been confined to the LoC and no such attempt has been reported on the IB in Jammu sector for past 40 days, Mr Tomar said the BSF was in a state of very high alert on the borders.
“We are fully alert to protect the borders and the people living in the border areas. We are maintaining alert of ‘highest order’ on the IB,’’ he said, adding that the BSF jawans were ready to meet with any kind of situation on the border.
The IG BSF Jammu Frontiers said the BSF was ready with winter management strategy along the IB.
Replying to a question on the BSF strategy to meet with infiltration attempts from across the border during foggy weather conditions in the winter, he said: “though the adverse weather conditions were generally confined to upper reaches in Poonch sector, which falls along the LoC, the BSF was engaged in installing new cameras on the IB to catch movement of infiltrators even in the fog’’.
He added that the BSF was fully geared up to meet with any kind of challenge from across the IB during the winters. “Our winter management would be in place well in time. The new cameras are being installed. Other required measures are also being taken,’’ he said.
It has been witnessed during past few winters that infiltration attempts by the militants, both on the LoC and IB, went up during foggy weather conditions in the winter. The militants try to take advantage of adverse weather to sneak into this side. However, alert jawans of Army and BSF have not allowed designs of the militants, backed by Pakistan Army and Rangers, to succeed.
Mr Tomar, however, said the BSF had advantage as there was no snowfall along the IB in Jammu sector. Snowfall during winter generally takes place along the passes in Poonch sector on the LoC.
To a question on number of the militants camping across the International Border awaiting an opportunity to enter into this side, Mr Tomar said it was difficult to give the accurate number but the BSF was alert and committed to ensure that the militants didn’t get a single opportunity to infiltrate into this side.
There had been reports that more than 150 militants have been camping across the IB in Jammu sector awaiting a change to infiltrate. The militants, backed by the Pakistani Rangers had also made some attempts of infiltrations, but failed due to alertness of the BSF.
The Intelligence reports had indicated that the militants apart from the LoC could also try to sneak into this side from the IB. In view of the reports, the BSF has already sounded a high alert all along the IB.
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