India
Lashkar, JeM members have managed to sneak into Kashmir: Army officer
Updated : Oct 14, 2017, 07:45 AM IST
Rattled by the attrition of militants in ‘Operation All Out’, Pakistan has infiltrated around 70 new ultras to replenish the depleting ranks and keep the terror pot simmering in Jammu and Kashmir.
Data available with different security agencies reveal that 70 new terrorists have been able to infiltrate into Kashmir since January this year. Last year, the estimated net infiltration (number of militants who managed to sneak in) was 112 compared to 33 in 2015. Similarly, estimated net infiltration was 65 in 2014 compared to 97 in 2013.
“Mostly militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed have managed to infiltrate this year. Though the estimated infiltration is 70, it is less than last year,” said a senior Army officer.
Around 60 to 70 militants are waiting on the launch pads for infiltration across the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir. Indian Army has strengthened their counter infiltration grid given the reports that militants may sneak into the Valley before the onset of winter when the mountainous passes close due to snowfall. “We expect more action in coming months on LoC before the snow blocks the passes”, said the officer.
More than 166 militants have been killed by security forces in different anti-militancy operations across Kashmir this year so far. Sixty-four security men too have lost their lives in the line of duty this year.
The slain militants include over a dozen top commanders including Jaish-e-Mohommad chief Abu Khalid, Abu Musaib, the nephew of Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Lashkar-e-Toiba leader, Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, Lashkar-Toiba Kashmir chief Abu Dujana, Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, Amarnath attack mastermind and Lashkar-Toiba Kashmir chief Abu Ismail and others.