SRINAGAR: In what could be termed as a cause of concern for security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir, 51 successful infiltration attempts including 18 in the first three month of this year have taken place in the State in last 15 months.
“24 infiltration attempts by militants took place in J&K in the first three months of this year,” Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told Lok Sabha today.
He said 18 of these infiltration attempts were successful.
About infiltration bids in the State last year, Parrikar said 118 infiltration attempts had taken place in 2015.
“Of these 33 infiltration attempts were successful,” he said.
Defence sources, however, did not divulge information about how many militants managed to sneak into the State during these successful infiltration attempts.
They, however, said successful infiltration attempts last year were less as compared to the previous year. “In 2014, there were 222 infiltration attempts and of these 65 were successful”.
Two Pakistani militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba – Mohammad Naved and Sajjad Ahmad – were arrested by security forces in the State last year.
Naved was arrested after he and his associate had attacked a BSF convoy in Udhampur area of J&K on August 5 last year. Two BSF men were killed and dozen others injured in the attack while a Pakistani militant Noman was killed and Naved arrested by security forces.
On August 27, 22-year-old Pakistani militant Sajjad was arrested during a gunfight in Rafiabad area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla in which four of his associates were killed.
Army officials said security agencies are apprehending rise in infiltration attempts by militants from across the Line of Control (LoC) after melting of snow in upper reaches.
“We are expecting rise in infiltration attempts and are ready to foil such attempts,” they said adding multi-pronged approach been adopted to contain the infiltration.
An army official said infrastructure along LoC and International Border (IB) has been strengthened to prevent infiltration of militants. “Besides, multi-tier and multi modal deployment has been made along the IB/LoC and near the ever changing infiltration routes, construction of border fencing. The technological surveillance and weapons and equipments for security forces have witnessed improvement besides the synergized intelligence flow and pro-active action against militants within the State”.
He said the counter infiltration grid placed along LoC has been further strengthened to prevent militants from sneaking into the State to foment trouble.
“We are trying to plug the loopholes to ensure zero infiltration of militants,” added the army official.