Jammu & Kashmir: Terrorists Making 'Desperate Attempts' To Infiltrate, Says Army Chief Naravane

The Army chief stated that despite forces making efforts to ensure stability in the Union Territory, terrorism remains a serious threat.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Indian Army chief General MM Naravane on Saturday said that terrorists are finding out new ways to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir with an aim to disrupt the ongoing District Development Council (DDC) elections. Without naming Pakistan, the Army chief stated that despite forces making efforts to ensure stability in the Union Territory, terrorism remains a serious threat. "With the ongoing situation on our western borders, terrorism continues to be a serious threat, and that is not abating in spite of all efforts made. Terrorists making desperate attempts to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir to disrupt normal democratic processes," Gen Naravane said while speaking to news agency ANI. "With the onset of winters, attempts are being made to infiltrate before the passes close and snow levels rise. It’s because of this that they have started moving southwards and are now attempting to infiltrate through lower regions including tunnels across the International Border," he said. Naravane's statement comes at a time when Jammu & Kashmir is conducting its first elections after the Central government abrogated Article 370 in the Valley last year. As per reports, 52 per cent voter turnout was recorded on Saturday in the staggered polls to district development councils in Jammu & Kashmir. The first round of polling in the eight-phase maiden DDC elections passed off peacefully, except for a minor incident of stone-pelting in Kulgam, officials said. "A voter percentage of 51.76 was recorded in the first phase -- 64.2 percent in Jammu division and 40.65 percent in Kashmir division, State Election Commissioner K K Sharma told reporters in Jammu. Reasi in Jammu recorded the highest voter turnout of 74.62 percent while militancy-infested Pulwama in south Kashmir witnessed the least voter participation at 6.7 percent. In Kashmir, Budgam recorded the highest poll percentage of 56.96 percent.