SRINAGAR: Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh stated on Thursday that this year, 40 infiltrating militants were killed along the Line of Control (LoC), emphasising the effectiveness of the counter-infiltration grid.
Singh chaired a joint security review meeting at 28 Div Zangli, along with the Army and other security officers, during his visit. Following the joint review meeting, he proceeded to the forward areas on the Line of Control (LoC) as part of the security review.
Speaking to reporters later, the DGP disclosed that this year alone, 40 infiltrating militants were eliminated along the LoC. “Those who managed to enter our side were neutralised in various operations in the hinterland. Counter-militant operations will persist,” he confirmed.
“Due to several reasons, the border areas on the other side of the LoC have a history of trouble. For an extended period, militant training camps and launching pads have been operational. About 16 active launching pads are situated on the other side of the border in this sector in PoK. Activities aimed at infiltrating more insurgents, smuggling weapons and narcotics are ongoing from the other side of the border,” he added.
The DGP mentioned that Kupwara police have taken stringent measures against individuals engaged in arms and narcotics smuggling from border areas. “Our efforts to combat narcotics and weapon smuggling have yielded positive results,” he stated.
Regarding infiltration, the police chief explained that infiltration attempts continue to occur. “These are ongoing efforts from the other side of the border, but active vigilance and the cooperation of joint security forces, including intelligence agencies, consistently thwart these attempts. Given the onset of snowfall, infiltration attempts are expected to persist. Infiltrators are pushed in before snowfall due to the accumulating snow and challenging conditions,” stated the J&K DGP.
Concerning the number of active militants in the region, the J&K DGP noted that the number of active militants has significantly decreased compared to previous figures. “Security forces have succeeded in reducing the number of active militants. With the elimination of militants, people have been able to live in peace. We believe in peace, and both security forces and the administration have achieved it thus far. The numbers are not high, and whatever the number is, it will continue to decrease,” he assured.
When asked about the missing SPO in Sopore, the DGP mentioned that the matter is currently under verification.
For many years, the DGP highlighted that the neighbouring country has consistently employed a strategy to push a maximum number of infiltrators from their launch pads before the snow accumulates in border areas. “These attempts take place in border areas like Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu division. Similarly, in the border areas of Kupwara and Baramulla in the Kashmir division, all such attempts have been thwarted in the past, and counter-operations will persist in the future as well. Even this year, large groups of infiltrators were eliminated along the LoC.” (KNO)