Militants fenced out

SRINAGAR: Barbed wire fencing with ground sensors installed on the 780-kilometer-long line of control (LoC) is proving to be a death trap for militants trying to infiltrate into Kashmir from across the border.

In the last 10 days, the army has killed 14 militants trying to infiltrate into Kashmir from different points on the LoC. Eight militants were killed on Tuesday in the Machil sector of Kupwara district. Ten days ago, six militants were killed in the Rangawar sector.

Army sources said militants were waiting for the snow on the mountain passes to melt so that they could sneak into Kashmir.

But with equipment like sensors and barbed wire fences assisting the forces, infiltration has become tougher. "Under pressure, the militants are now being trained to overcome obstacles. That is why they are equipped with ladders and cutters to get past the fence and gadgetry," said defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Vijay K Batra.

For the last two years, the army has adopted a proactive approach towards infiltration. They have tried to block the loopholes and passes usually used by the militants. The LoC that stretches from Poonch-Jammu to Gurez in Kashmir has been fenced with barbed wire. Plus state-of-the-art ground sensors have been put in place. The ground sensors are so sensitive that a slight movement on the LoC is detected in the control room, which then alerts the troops on the forward line. Apart from the electronic obstacle system, the army has erected several lines of defence on the LoC so that even if a militant gets past one there is another level of defence.

Now the militants have adopted a different strategy to sneak in. They are choosing difficult areas at a higher altitude. "Last night's operation in which we killed eight militants was carried out at an altitude of 15,000 feet," said an army officer.

In Jammu and Kashmir, there are three types of borders. The 780 kilometer Line of Control (LoC) stretches from Poonch in Jammu to Gurez in Kashmir. The LoC has been completely fenced. It is an impressive piece of engineering covering difficult terrain.

Before the ceasefire on the border, the fencing had become a bone of contention between India and Pakistan. The Pakistani army used to shell the Indian positions continuously two years back. The ceasefire gave the troops and engineers a chance to complete the fence.

The 200-km-long international border separates Jammu from Punjab in Pakistan. Most of this border has been fenced too.