HVK Archives: Less Afghanis in ultras' ranks: IG
Less Afghanis in ultras' ranks: IG - The Indian Express
Express News Service
()
September 12, 1998
Title: Less Afghanis in ultras ranks: IG
Author: Express News Service
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: September 12, 1998
The composition of the foreign militant cadre infiltrating into
the Valley is fast changing as more Pakistan nationals are
sneaking m than the Afghanis who generally used to dominate the
cadre.
This was disclosed by BSF inspector general, Frontiers, A S
Mangat while briefing a team of mediapersons here.
He said there has been a sudden drop in the infiltration of
Afghanis in May, 1998 and at least 90 per cent of the foreigners
present in the Valley are Pakistani nationals. "The foreign
militants are mostly hiding in the Lolab Valley in frontier
Kupwara district and in Bandipore heights.
The local cadre is not actively involved in militancy but are
being mostly used as guides," he said. "But these guides are more
essential than the foreign militants as they make the backbone of
all their activities. The very reason why so many foreign
militants were trapped in Jaggarpora village was that they had
lost contact with their local guides," Mangat said.
He said that approximately 600 militants were operating in the
Valley.
The IG said that there are no reports regarding the presence of
any Afghani belonging to the Taliban militia in the Baramulla-
Kupwara frontier range and said there will be no impact of
Taliban even if it tries to infiltrate into the Valley.
The basic reason is the difference in the geography of Pakistan-
Afghanistan border and our border wit Pakistan.
They could easily infiltrate even regiments into Afghanistan but
here they have to try to come in small batches. And, it will
create no strategic security threat to us," he said.
He said that seven BSF personnel lost their lives in recent
Pakistani artillery shelling.
Giving details of the BSF operations during the past several
months, the IG said his troops killed 45 militants, apprehended
51 besides arranging the surrender of 10 others in the twin
districts of Baramulla and Kupwara.
e also recovered two anti-aircraft guns, 110 AK rifles, 14 UMG,
15 rocket launchers, 35 pistols and 33,000 rounds of ammunition,
he said.
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