135 terrorists in PoK ready to infiltrate: BSF

Samaan Lateef

Srinagar, January 24

Nearly 135 militants are ready on different launch pads along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to infiltrate into the Indian side of Kashmir, the Border Security Force (BSF) said on Monday.

“Between 104 to 135 terrorists are waiting on different launch pads to infiltrate into Kashmir,” said BSF IGP, Kashmir Frontier, Raja Babu Singh.

Singh said some people working as guides for militants have crossed the Line of Control into PoK to facilitate infiltrations. “We need to monitor them (guides), as and when they return. Also, their families need to be monitored,” he said.

He said there was a synergy between the BSF and the Army and all-out efforts were being made to ensure zero infiltration. “The overall scenario along the LoC is peaceful. Since the signing of the ceasefire agreement, there has been a general peace all along the LoC in the Kashmir frontier,” he said.

In 2021, 58 infiltration attempts were made, in which five militants were killed, 21 returned and one surrendered, he said. “There have been reports that 31 infiltrated in 2021, 130 in 2019 and 36 in 2020,” Singh said.

In 2021, the border guarding force seized three AK-47 rifles, six 9MM pistols, 1071 ammunitions, 20 grenades, two IEDs and 17.3 kg heroin (Rs 88 crore approx) in different operational incidents.

The Border Security Force says the threat of drones is “very real” and measures are being taken to counter it.

“Last year also, drones were noticed, but no one ventured inside our territory. This year, we are taking enough measures” he added.

58 intrusion attempts last year

• BSF IGP, Kashmir Frontier, Raja Babu Singh says 58 infiltration attempts were made in 2021 in which five militants were killed, 21 returned and one surrendered.
• In 2021, three AK-47 rifles, six 9MM pistols, 1071 ammunition, 20 grenades, two IEDs and 17.3 kg heroin were seized by security personnel.