New Delhi: Government on Tuesday told Parliament that after surgical strike in Uri, there has been sharp decline in the net cross-border infiltration.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nithyanand Rai said in the House, that due to the concentrated and synergized efforts of security forces, security situation in state has witnessed an improvement in first half of 2019 over corresponding period of 2018 and the net infiltration has reduced by 43 per cent.

He was replying to a written question whether infiltration has come down in the state after the Balakot airstrikes.

"The Government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance towards cross-border infiltration. Due to concerted and synergized efforts of security forces, the security situation in the state has witnessed an improvement in the first half of this year over the corresponding period of 2018. Net infiltration has reduced by 43 per cent," he said.

The minister also the Government of India, in tandem with the State Government, has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross-border infiltration, which inter-alia included multi-tiered deployment along the International Border/Line of Control, border fencing, improved intelligence and operational coordination, equipping Security Forces with improved.

"Terrorist initiated incidents saw a decline of 28 per cent, net infiltration reduced by 43 per cent, local recruitment declined by 40 per cent and neutralisation of terrorists has increased by 22 per cent," said MoS Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy.

(inputs from agencies)