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Army worries over infiltrations, happy about cricketing ties

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 7/18/2012 1:04:27 AM

Fair trial in Pathribal case assured | 600 militants waiting to infiltrate, 300 active in Kashmir: Prakash

SRINAGAR, July 17: Amid criticism from different quarters, the move to resume Indo-Pak cricket ties today got support from army in Kashmir.
In his first informal interaction with media persons here, general officer commanding (GOC) 15 corps, Lt Gen Om Prakash, described the re-starting of cricket ties as a good gesture. He viewed that the diplomatic venture will help in strengthening people to people contact between the two countries.
GOC, however, said despite these moves, Pakistan continues to support militancy in Kashmir and the militancy related infrastructure across LoC is very much existent. Lt Gen Prakash said 550 to 600 militants are waiting at the launching pads there to infiltrate into Kashmir. He ruled out hot pursuit against the militants trying to infiltrate.
Lt Gen Prakash put the number of militants presently active in Kashmir at 280 to 300. However, he said there is no question of troop reduction right now in view of the attempts by militants to increase their activities particularly in south Kashmir. Regarding the withdrawal of AFSPA, the GOC refused to comment saying army has already given its opinion on the issue to the defence ministry and the matter is being discussed at the highest level.
Corps commander said the court martial proceedings in the Pathribal incident would be fair and speedy.
“Cricket is most popular in India and Pakistan. Resumption of cricket ties is another way to bring the people closer and establish friendship. Dialogue is already going on between India and Pakistan,” he said.
Lt Gen Prakash said while efforts are being made to strengthen ties with Pakistan, there is no let up in the support by the latter to militancy and the related infrastructure across LoC. “The training camps exist very much in PoK and Pakistan and so do the launching pads. Pakistan is trying to push more and more militants inside Kashmir. Our strong anti-infiltration mechanism at LoC has foiled their attempts. But there no guarantee that an odd group might have slipped in given the difficult terrain,” he said.
The GOC described as stable the situation in Kashmir. “There is reasonable peace. However some incidents are happening. Security forces are doing their job well and ensuring peace. Our efforts are to help the moves of government and people for peace. Sustained peace for next several years can bring a sea change in all the spheres in life in Kashmir. Kashmir in true sense will become the crown of India,” he said.
Lt Gen Prakash stated that future of peace in Kashmir is also related to intentions and moves from Pakistan. He said till now Pakistan has shown no signs of any change in its policy and plan regarding militancy in Kashmir. “They would continue efforts to infiltrate and we will continue foiling those. Our anti-militancy operations in hinter land will also continue,” he said.
Hot pursuit against the infiltrators or their camps across LoC is not under consideration right now. “Usually hot pursuit is taken by common people to chase some body to kill him or nab him. Here we can not cross LoC as the army of another country is there and there is an eyeball to eyeball contact between the two armies. Secondly such a move can have international ramifications. We engage the infiltrators in encounters on LoC and kill them,” he said.
GOC stated that level of militancy is higher in north Kashmir than south Kashmir. “In north Kashmir we have LoC, forests and support base for infiltrators. The number of militants is lesser in south Kashmir. But off late the militants have started increasing their activities in south Kashmir also. This may be because we had slowed down our operations in view of normalcy. The militants are trying to fill the vacated space. They targeted police, army and even threatened panches and sarpanches,”he said.
Lt Gen Prakash described as very serious the Pampore attack in which a soldier was killed.” The army personnel were guarding the vehicular traffic movement on the highway. I salute the soldiers there for observing restraint e and not opening fire there even as they saw the militants fleeing among the people. If they had opened fire, innocent lives would have been lost. I personally congratulated the two soldiers for observing restraint,” he said.
GOC said LeT is recruiting local youth now.” They are doing so to give it a colour of local militant out fit. Secondly, the militant outfit is falling short of men and finding it difficult to get more militants from Pakistan because of high state of alertness by our troops on Loc,” he said.
Lt Gen Prakash stated that intelligence inputs by different agencies indicate that militants want “fidayeen attacks” in Kashmir. He said a close watch is being kept by the security forces on the situation.
GOC said it is yet to be seen whether or not media will be allowed to cover the court martial proceedings in Pathribal case.” Let me assure you the trial will be fair, speedy and in J&K. If found guilty, a security men gets severe punishment in court martial,” he added.
About the pushing back of three families from PAK who tried to cross over LoC and reach Kashmir, Lt Gen Prakash said under the surrender and rehabilitation policy of the state government, the youth can return through Kaman Post (Salamabad), Chakanda Bagh (Poonch) or Wagah border. They were 19 members and trying to cross over with the help of Pakistan army. Their intentions were doubtful, he added.
Asked whether the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan can affect situation in Kashmir, GOC said the troops would not move out completely there. “This would be disastrous. The concerned countries understand this and are working out a strategy in consultation with India as to how to deal with such a situation,” he said