69 launchpads active across LoC, 120 militants waiting to infiltrate: BSF IG

The Border Security Force (BSF) is maintaining a close watch on 69 active terror launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC), where an estimated 100–120 terrorists are waiting to infiltrate, officials said on Monday.

Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Ashok Yadav, Inspector General of BSF (Kashmir Frontier), said the force has been effectively securing and dominating the LoC in close coordination with the Army along the 343-km stretch in the Kashmir Valley.

Despite challenges posed by harsh weather, underdeveloped and inhospitable terrain, difficult living conditions and persistent threats of Border Action Team (BAT) strikes, sniping attempts, ceasefire violations and fidayeen attacks, BSF personnel continue to guard the frontier with “full zeal and devotion”, he said.

Reviewing operational achievements for 2025–26, Yadav said the BSF, working in close synergy with the Army and other security agencies, had undertaken several successful operations. He termed Operation Sindoor as the most significant achievement of the year. The first phase of the operation, conducted between May 6 and 10, involved coordinated fire assaults on Pakistani posts and terrorist launch pads along the LoC.

“BSF units, including artillery regiments, executed heavy and accurate shelling on enemy posts and bunkers, causing major casualties to Pakistani troops, inflicting heavy damage on their forward positions and destroying some terrorist launch pads,” Yadav said.

He added that joint domination of the LoC led to the neutralisation of eight terrorists during four infiltration attempts in 2025. BSF also participated in 22 joint operations with other security agencies along the LoC and in the hinterland, eliminating several militants in north Kashmir and recovering large quantities of arms, ammunition and other war-like stores.

“Our G unit is keeping a close watch on all 69 active launching pads along the LoC, where around 100–120 terrorists have been waiting to infiltrate. Various terrorist training camps are also under scrutiny of our intelligence wing,” the IG said.

Speaking about Operation Mahadev, Yadav said specially trained frontier counter-insurgency teams dominated the high ridges of the northern flank of the Mahadev range, establishing temporary operating bases to block likely infiltration routes towards Ganderbal and Bandipora. The coordinated effort culminated in the killing of the group responsible for the Pahalgam attack earlier this year, during an operation on July 28.

Yadav also highlighted BSF’s ongoing modernisation drive in response to evolving global warfare tactics and emerging threats along India’s borders. He said the force is inducting advanced technologies in collaboration with defence research institutions, engineering institutes, and public and private-sector partners. “A lot of emphasis is being given to training troops in LoC domination and countering emerging challenges of infiltration, BAT action and hostile activities by the enemy,” he added.