NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding the surgical strikes by the security forces inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as many as 42 terror launch pads continue to exist across the Line of Control, with most being located opposite Poonch, Machhal and Uri sectors.
While five terror launch pads are located across Poonch sector, four each are placed across Machhal and Uri Sectors. Likewise, two launching pads each are located in Nowgam, Nowshera and Keran sectors.
According to documents with The Sunday Standard, three launch pads each are located across Gurez, Tangdhar and Rampur sectors.
Most of the terror launch pads are located just three to five kilometres across the Line of Control, as many as 10 including the ones at Sialkot, Shahkot and Sharief are located 15 to 25 kilometres from the LoC.
Soon after the surgical strikes, a few of the camps were shifted deep inside PoK. However, they were relocated after the Pak establishment decided to continue the hostility towards India.
Most of the terror launch pads across specific Indian sectors are located in areas where the terrain is difficult with riverine or forest patches and are situated at advantageous heights from the Pak standpoint, a senior official of the Multi-Agency Centre in Srinagar said. The official further said the difficult terrain coupled with unfenced patches on the LoC makes it easier for the Pak-backed terrorists to infiltrate inside the Valley.
The MAC official said each terror launch pad has 15 to 20 jehadis. The launch pads are mostly located besides Pak Army or Pak Rangers posts. Each terror launch pad is guarded by five to ten Pak Armymen. A terror launch pad is a makeshift hutment or trenches with temporary roof and are camouflaged to protect enemy fire.
A top Intelligence Bureau official said there are no signs of abatement of hostilities between the two countries as relationship between India and Pakistan is very acrimonious at present. “It will take months before normalisation of relations between the two hostile neighbours,” the official added.
List of launching pads of terrorists in PoK
1 Lipa, Opposite Tangdhar sector
2 Jura, Opposite Tangdhar sector
3Dunipathra, opposite Tangdhar sector
4 Sialkot, PoK
5 Sharief, PoK
6 Kandergali, PoK
7 Shahkot, PoK
8 Sada Dhaki, PoK
9 Kunda Shahi, PoK
10 Shardi (PoK) OPPOSITE Machhal sector
11 Dumel Post, PoK
12 Tejian, PoK
13 AK Gali launching pad, PoK
14 Kel (PoK)
15 Sonar (PoK)
16 Chela Bandi, PoK
17 Chham, Opposite Uri sector
18 Pachhiban, opposite Uri sector
19 Batta Kaiyan, opposite Uri sector
20 Chhitrian, opposite Uri sector
21 Durmet, opposite Gurez sector
22 Thandikassi, opposite BG Sector
23 Kheramuru (PoK), Opposite Uri sector
24 Sardari, opposite Machhal sector
25 Folowai, opposite Machhal sector
26 Janwai, opposite Machhal sector
27 Mohradori, opposite Rampur sector
28 Battahalan, opposite Rampur sector
29 Khojabandi, opposite Rampur sector
30 Losar I, Opposite Gurez sector
31 Losar II, Opposite Gurez sector
32 Athmuqam, opposite Keran sector
33 Dudhniyal (PoK), Opposite Keran sector
34 Balawali, opposite Poonch sector
35 Mochi Mohri, opposite Poonch sector
36 Margi Dhok, opposite Poonch sector
37 Kirni, opposite Poonch sector
38 Chirikot, opposite Poonch sector
39 Kotkotera, opposite Nowshera sector
40 Sabzkot, opposite Nowshera sector
41 Mandikuli, opposite Naugam sector
42 Chananian (Leepa), opposite Naugam sector