Intelligence inputs suggest that 104 to 135 militants are waiting at launch pads across the border

The Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir has remained peaceful throughout 2021 but over 100 militants are waiting to infiltrate into this side, a top Border Security Force (BSF) officer has said.

"Post ceasefire agreement, in February last year, the situation has remained peaceful along the LoC," Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF) Kashmir frontier Raja Babu Singh said on Monday. He was addressing the annual press conference at BSF headquarters in Srinagar.

He also spoke about intelligence inputs suggesting that 104 to 135 militants were waiting at the launch pads across the border to infiltrate into this side.

"Also, there are reports that some guides, who bring the groups of militants along, have crossed over to the other side of the LoC. Their movement is being tracked and their families are under surveillance, he said.

On being asked about drone threats on the LoC, he said, "BSF guards 96 kms of LoC in Kashmir and the drone threat is real. Though no drones were observed in Kashmir so far but we are still in process of procuring our own drones to counter the threat. Exercises are in place to deal with drone threats."

He also spoke about transportation of narcotics into the Jammu and Punjab regions, he said, "Last year, 17.3 kg heroin worth Rs 88 Crore as seized along the LoC by BSF and efforts are being made to foil bids aimed at transporting narcotics from LoC. The trade is mostly active in Punjab and Jammu."

In another press conference, IG BSF, Jammu sounded a high alert on the border to foil any possible attempt on the eve of Republic Day.

"BSF is carrying out extensive anti-tunneling drive, Special Patrolling and Depth area domination despite extremely hostile weather conditions,"he said during the press conference held in Jammu.

A statement from BSF said that to strengthen the border domination, mobilisation of troops has also been done .

"Regular monitoring of suspicious activities of counterpart is being carried out through surveillance equipment. A joint patrolling and exercise are also being conducted alongwith Army, CRPF and State Police to scuttle any nefarious attempts of ANEs," the statement said.

BSF said that troops deployed on the Jammu International Border have been quite successful and consistent in foiling attempts from across the border by eliminating intruders, seizing huge supply of arms and ammunition, narcotics and detecting tunnels in past one year.