Scanty snowfall this year in upper reaches of Jammu & Kashmir is proving to a major problem for the security forces as number of infiltration bids have increased from across the line of Control(loC). It is feared the rate of infiltration will go up in the next two months before onset of winter months as Pakistan Army is providing covering fire to the militants thereby violating ceasefire pact agreed upon between the two armies in May this year.
In the last ten days, Pakistan Army violated the pact in South and North Pir Panjal ranges including providing cover fire to a big group of eight to ten militants in Gurez sector in North Kashmir in which four Indian army personnel including a Major were killed in an encounter. While two infiltrators were killed, four others fled back to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK). Officials said here on Saturday many others might have sneaked in during the fire fight.
At least 70 militants have so far infiltrated from January till now as compared to 123 for the entire last year and sources in security establishment were apprehensive that the next few weeks will see a surge in infiltration. Poor snow helped the militants to negotiate the mountain passes which remain blocked for at least four months when heavy snowfall takes place.
Elaborating upon the new threat, they said at present there were 60-70 militants, mostly foreigners, hiding in North Kashmir and the fresh batches of infiltrators will boost the numerical strength of terrorists there.
Given the topography of North Kashmir dotted by mountain passes and densely forested valleys, militants use ingress routes there and the security forces were further fine tuning their anti-infiltration grid to neutralise infiltration bids.
In fact, this issue was flagged on August 16 by Director General Military Operations(DGMO) lt General A K Chauhan during his talks with Pakistani counterpart Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza on the hotline. The Indian side said infiltration has increased in the North areas of Pir Panjal mountain ranges and stressed that Pakistan must initiate steps to prevent it. The hotline talks were held following Pakistanis request.
Chauhan also said the Indian Army will abide by its commitment to uphold ceasefire understanding of 2003 if the Pakistan Army initiates positive steps to control infiltration and abetment of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The two DGMOs on May 29 this year had agreed to honour ceasefire as enunciated in 2003 during the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s regime.
However, Pakistan Army’s intentions were doubtful about honouring ceasefire as it opened fire on Indian Army positions on August 15 in Naushera sector, South of Pir Panjal injuring one jawan.
According to Defence PRO in Jammu, “Pakistan army had provided cover fire to assist intruders sneak inside the Indian territory when they were challenged by the Indian troops early morning around 5.15 a.m”.
In the second incident barely hours after the Director General Military Operations (DGMO), Pakistan, gave an assurance to his Indian counterpart on the ‘hot line’ that it will take ‘prompt action’ against any move by inimical elements in the proximity of the lOC and respond to any information shared by the Indian side in support of anti terrorist operations fresh exchange of firing was reported along the lOC in Poonch sector late Thursday night.
According to the ground reports, Pakistan army had targeted some of the forward Indian posts along the loC in Poonch sector with an aim to provide cover fire to a group of infiltrators attempting to sneak inside the Indian side. In response the Indian side retaliated the fire in equal measure to prevent any fresh infiltration bid.