Udhampur, November 24, 2005 (Daily Excelsior)

As infiltration level has not come down even after devastating earthquake, the Army has devised new strategy to track down militants who have been desperately trying to enter into this side.

"We have devised a three tier security system to frustrate evil designs of those trying to infiltrate into this side to spread violence and bloodshed", said General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in- C) Northern Command, Lt General Deepak Kapoor at an informal interaction with media persons here today after felicitating some elders of Kupwara region who returned from Ajmer and Jaipur.

Troops have been maintaining strict vigil on Line of Control (LoC) so as to foil any infiltration attempt on the border while as advanced gadgets have been installed on the fencing so that those who managed to cross over should be tracked down before entering the main land, the GOC in C informed.

If any one manages to pierce through these two tier security cover, the troops are all prepared to give them befitting treatment in the hinterland.

When asked whether infiltration has come down after nature’s fury which engulfed most parts of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Lt General Kapoor replied in negative. "The level of infiltration is same as it was before October 8 earthquake", he said but admitted that terror infrastructure has been damaged to some extent due to the earthquake. "There are reports that militants have been facing shortage of arms and ammunition", he said, adding, "on one hand security forces have busted large number of hide-outs of militants while on the otherhand, nature has inflicted extensive damage to their infrastructure".

The Northern Command chief admitted that level of violence has increased during the past some time. "We have been witnessing attacks on innocent civilians for the quite some time", he observed but opined that these attacks reflect desperation among militants. "By throwing grenades and triggering bomb blasts in civilian areas militants have been trying to terrorise the common masses. "Not only these types of acts will spread terror among masses but it will also shatter economy and tourism of the State", he observed.

Pointing towards Tuesday’s incident in which three dreaded militants laid down their arms, Lt General Kapoor said that the militants were fed up with the bloodshed and terrorism and have decided to join the main stream.

Replying to a query regarding allegations of irregularities in purchase of meat for troops in the forward area of Ladakh and Siachen, the GOC in C, under whose command these areas fall, said that probe has already been ordered. "Although there is not time frame, thorough inquiry will be conducted and responsibilities will be fixed if irregularities were found in supply of meat", he asserted, adding, "witnesses will be asked to give statements and every aspect will be taken into consideration". He said that it was not possible to fix time frame for the inquiry at this juncture but asserted that appropriate action will be taken against the guilty person whatever his level.

Giving details about on-going relief operations in the earthquake affected Uri and Tangdhar areas of Kashmir province, the Army commander appreciated relief materials donated by the countrymen. "It is all due to the help of the countrymen that all affected families will be provided shelter before beginning of winter season", he exuded confidence.

Earlier, GOC in C interacted with a group of elders of Kupwara and other areas of Kashmir province who had returned from a tour of Jaipur and Ajmer Sharief. This tour was organised by the Army as part of its Operation Sadbhavana.