500 Terrorists Waiting At LoC Camps In PoK To Enter Kashmir: Northern Command Chief

The official also informed that around 300 terrorists are operating in the remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir with efforts to keep the region in turmoil with the support of Pakistan-based terrorist groups.

Nearly 500 terrorists are staged in camps in PoK and are ready to infiltrate into J&K. (File Photo/ Getty)

Srinagar: As many as 500 terrorists are reportedly waiting at various training camps along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) and are looking for opportunities to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir, a top Army official said. The official also informed that around 300 terrorists are operating in the remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir with efforts to keep the region in turmoil with the support of Pakistan-based terrorist groups. "As far as militants operating within Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, 200 to 300 terrorists, who have come here, joined militants here," Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said while speaking to reporters in Jammu. Singh said it in reply to reporters' questions about the number of militants operating in J&K and those in PoK ready to infiltrate into the country.

"Like this, nearly 500 terrorists are staged in terrorists' training camps in PoK and are ready to infiltrate into J&K," said Lt Gen Singh. He said these figures keep changing as per their training schedule. "Whatever be the number, we are capable to stop and eliminate them to ensure peace and normalcy in this region," he added.

Singh, however, assured that it is always the endeavour of Indian Army to ensure peace and normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir and all efforts are being made to stop such notorious elements hindering peace in the Valley.

"But Pakistan keep trying to do some mischief to disturb the peace here. Even today terror infrastructure is being run within Pakistan (by its forces and agencies). These include training as launching pad for terrorists to infiltrate into the country," he added.

He said Pakistan continues to keep terrorists armed to their teeth and provide all types of support to them. He said deploying drones to arm terrorists is one of the new modus operandi of Pakistan, said Lt General Singh in reply to a question over the issue of dropping arms through drones in Punjab by Pakistan.

"But I want to ensure you that Indian Army is capable and determined to foil Pakistan's any unholy design. Their designs will not be allowed to succeed," he said. A high alert was issued in the Valley earlier this month after heavy terrorist movement was spotted along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB).

Some intel reports indicated that heavy terrorist movement was observed at several places near the LoC including Machhil and Keran sectors. Both sectors were put on high alert after the development. Security were tightened even in New Delhi following intelligence inputs that Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists had infiltrated into the national capital ahead of the festive season.

(With inputs from PTI)