High alert on LoC as forces brace for retaliation by Pak

Dinesh Manhotra & Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Srinagar, Sept 30

The Army is on high alert along the Line of Control (LoC) amid apprehension that Pakistan may retaliate in the wake of surgical strikes or choose to push more infiltrators into Kashmir.

Similarly, the Border Security Force (BSF) is on high alert on the international border. Additional forces had been deployed on the border after the Uri terror attack on September 18.

The Army has already strengthened its positions along the LoC to deal with any eventuality. “Soldiers on the LoC are vigilant and prepared to handle any eventuality,” said an Army officer.

“After the surgical strikes on terror launch pads, preparations are in place and every unit and sub-unit along the LoC is maintaining high vigil,” he said.

“Pakistan is hit and wounded and it will retaliate. It may send more terrorists to Kashmir to carry out another Uri-like attack as it is a low-cost option,” he added.

With such apprehensions in mind, the Army had deployed men along the LoC to pluck possible infiltration routes through surveillance, patrolling and ambushes.

Another Army officer said personnel were on high alert across Kashmir. The artillery had been put in ready condition at strategic locations to effectively respond to Pakistan if it fired artillery shells.

“Pakistan can play any mischief and we are ready to handle it,” the officer said. Every measure was in place along the LoC, he added.

The Army was in touch with the local population in border areas to ensure good liaison at a time when tension between India and Pakistan was high.

Residents of border areas had been asked to take precautions, especially during night hours. The Army was keeping a vigil on all activities across the LoC.