Around 60 to 80 terrorists, believed to be Afghan returnee mercenaries, are receiving training at launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir valley, with a possible push planned during the summer months, sources added.
Officials believe Pakistan will have to think twice before pushing them into India’s camp, as Islamabad remains on the Financial Action Task Force’s “grey list,” and its sincerity will be tested if it dismantles the terror infrastructure.
Officials stated that following the Indian army’s hammering in 2019, the Pakistani side stayed away from the launch pads until the early months of last year, when they reappeared for a few weeks before disappearing again.
However, since August of last year, some 60-80 terrorists have been present at these re-activated launch pads across the border, and the terrorists appear to be Afghan war returnees who are largely Pakistani mercenaries, according to intelligence inputs and field unit surveillance.
The LoC has been under a state of ceasefire since February, according to officials, and the Pakistani army has used the time to fortify its positions along the border with about 8,000 tonnes of defence material after suffering major setbacks in 2019.
The Pakistani army has also deployed in some 60 heavy calibre guns, as well as bolstering its air defence system, artillery, and mortars, officials say, taking advantage of a ceasefire that has held since last year.
According to them, while the Indian Army holds a strategic advantage along the LoC, the time has been utilised to fortify its position in order to prevent Pakistani army plans to push in terrorists during the coming summer from succeeding.
The anti-infiltration system and surveillance along the LoC have been tightened up, according to officials, to tackle a variety of obstacles.
Following talks over the hotline between India’s and Pakistan’s Directors General of Military Operations, a joint statement was issued on February 25, 2021, in which the two countries agreed to strictly adhere to all agreements, understandings, and ceasefires along the Line of Control and in all other sectors, with effect from midnight on February 24-25, 2021.
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