Around 250 Terrorists Are At Terror Launch Pads Across The LoC; Indian Army Maintain High Vigil

The Indian Army along the Line of Control (LoC) has stepped up its efforts to stop any bad behaviour from the other side of the border. This is because intelligence estimates show that about 250 terrorists are at launch sites in PoK.

Even though there has been a ceasefire between the two countries since February of last year, troops are keeping a very close eye on the Line of Control (LoC) near the advanced station in Keran sector, which is in the northernmost part of Kashmir.

Soldiers at this border have to fight a battle on two fronts: against an enemy neighbour and against a harsh winter that is coming.

Even though the Army says that infiltration has decreased in the past few years, officials who spoke to a group of visiting journalists said that there are about 250 terrorists waiting across the LoC at various launch pads to sneak in.

So, one of the army officials said, “We can’t let our guard down.”

The Army is worried about both terrorists crossing the border and drugs getting into the country.

Director General of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Dilbag Singh, recently said that Pakistan is using the growing amount of drug smuggling across the border to pay for terrorism in Kashmir.

The officer in the Army said, “Aside from terrorists and weapons and ammunition, we are also keeping a close eye on the smuggling of drugs. The enemy has its own way of doing things, but we are strong and always ready to defend our country.” And since winter is coming soon, the fight is about to get harder.

“It is hard to win. It is hard to live in these places, “PTI got this information from a soldier who was guarding one of the posts in the Keran Sector of the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Some of these Army outposts are more than 12,000 feet high, and they are the first line of defence against invaders who use these well-known and often-used infiltration routes.

All of these ways of getting in meet at the impressive Shamsabari range. The range’s huge peaks, rough terrain, dense forests, and many streams make it a very difficult place for both nature and people to live.

“Besides the land, the weather here is also very harsh. It is very bad. When it snows here, it gets too cold. The snow can get as high as 20 feet and stay there for three to four months “an officer in the army said.

Due to strategic concerns, it is not possible to find out who the soldiers or officers are or where they are. During the winter, the forces at these checkpoints or their base camps must stock up on supplies because heavy snowfall can block the road. During those months, the only way to get around is by helicopter or chopper.

“When snow builds up, you can’t even see the road, many bunkers, and other infrastructure. When we have to move, we can use high poles as guides “said the officer.

The officer said that no matter what, the duty to protect the motherland is the most important and must be done in any case.

“Sometimes, the duty at the forward post can take several hours, especially if there is a movement (of terrorists),” he said.

Even though the ceasefire in February 2021 has kept infiltration to a minimum this year, Pakistan may go back to its old ways and try to sneak in more terrorists before the winter.

From November to February or March, when there is a lot of snow, it is hard to get in because the snow is so deep. High-elevation parts of the valley get a lot of snow, which can build up to about 30 feet in some places.

“There is always this fear, this possibility, that Pakistan might try to increase infiltration before the snow comes,” officials in the security establishment said. They added that this has happened in the past, and there is no guarantee that it won’t happen again.

They said, though, that the anti-infiltration grid was strong and that the security forces were ready to stop any plans like that.

“We are ready for this to happen. The AIOS (anti-infiltration obstacle system) is strong, and we are keeping a close eye on the known paths of infiltration “they told me.

The two armies’ reiteration of the ceasefire agreement has helped the Army on this side keep an eye on infiltration, but they are not letting their guard down.

“Yes, the truce has made things better. When there was no ceasefire, the Pakistani Army would often try to hide the infiltrators by firing on our posts. So, there it is. But we have to be on guard, even if there is a ceasefire. We can’t just count on it, “said the official.

They said that there were both physical and electronic measures in place to stop people from getting in.

They said, “It’s a mix of people, machines, and surveillance.”

They said that, in addition to the fence along the Line of Control (LoC), which is called the AIOS, there are integrated surveillance systems like ground sensors, night vision devices, and CCTV cameras that help the strong deployment on the ground.

About 350 km of Jammu and Kashmir’s 743-km-long LoC are in the Kashmir valley, with 55 km of that just in the Keran Sector.