At least 300 militants are “active” in Kashmir while another 250 are ready to infiltrate into this side of the Line of Control from “different launch pads” in Pakistan, a top army commander said here on Saturday.
Addressing the closing ceremony of 15-day ‘public mela’ in Keran area along the LoC in northern Kupwara district, the general officer commanding (GoC) of the army’s 15 corps, lieutenant general AK Bhatt said: “Around 300 militants are active in the valley and more than 250 militants are ready to infiltrate into this side, but our soldiers are ready to foil their attempts.”
“We have dominated all areas along the LoC,” he said, adding that in coming months, infiltration attempts may increase due to the onset of winter “but our forces are vigilant to foil all such attempts.”
The GoC said that southern Kashmir “should take lessons from north Kashmir that hasn’t sheltered any militant outfit.” The ‘mela’ was organised to “strength the bond between the army and locals”, the GOC said.
Asked about upcoming civic elections in Kashmir beginning Monday, Bhatt said: “With the help of police and CRPF, our soldiers are working round-the-clock to ensure that elections take place in a secure environment.”