Author: Excelsior Special Correspondent
Publication: Daily Excelsior
Date: January 26, 2006
URL: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/06jan26/news.htm#1
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen
Deepak Kapoor has said that despite October 8 earthquake, new terrorists training
camps have come up in certain areas on that side of the Line of Control (LoC).
Talking to media persons after investiture
ceremony here today, Lt Gen Kapoor said that there was no apparent change
in attitude of Pakistan on cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He
said the infiltration was going on and several training camps have surfaced
after earthquake and massive devastation in PoK in October last year.
Referring to the militancy related situation
along the Line of Control, the GOC-in-C said Pakistan's attitude has remained
unchanged on the cross-border terrorism issue as infiltration continues despite
the fact that majority of the terror infrastructures on other side of LoC
were destroyed in the quake. New terror camps have come up on the other side
as per reports, he maintained.
" Only a minor fall in terrorist infiltration
was seen during a short period. Due to border fencing and alertness of our
jawans along the LoC, the infiltration has been contained," Gen Kapoor
added.
Responding to a question Lt Gen Kapoor said
" It is not possible to achieve zero-infiltration as terrorists enter
the State via different routes. It is true that militants enter via other
countries as well, including Nepal. The security forces keep a close watch
over infiltration from all routes."
Regarding Hizb-ul-Mujahideen's threat to youth
in the State not to take part in Army's recruitment rallies, Lt. Gen. Kapoor
said " We will definitely protect those who join the Army in Jammu and
Kashmir".
Claiming that there was better security situation
in Jammu and Kashmir as large number of tourists and pilgrims visited Kashmir
valley and other places last year, Gen Kapoor said the credit for it goes
to security forces, police and civil administration who were partners in bringing
peace and development in the State.
He further said that due to success in security
forces' operations, militants were demoralised and were on the run. They have
changed their modus operandi like causing grenade attacks and car bomb explosions
in the State for the past some time.
In response to yet another question, Lt Gen
Kapoor said there has been three-tier security along the borders and it is
not very easy to cross the borders due to fencing along LoC and many areas
of International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the terrorists
some times manage to cross over to this side. And after October 8 devastation,
when majority of the security forces were involved in relief and rescue operations,
several terrorist groups managed to sneak into this side after crossing Line
of Control.
