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Army seeks time to verify Pak. `crackdown' in PoK

By Our Staff Reporter

Nagrota (Jammu) May 31. A day after reports of the Pakistani authorities announcing a "crackdown" on the camps of terrorists and their infrastructure in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the Army today said any efforts in this direction could be easily be verified on the ground and that it needed time to give its assessment.

"We would adopt a policy of `wait and watch'. As of now, the situation indicates no change. The communication network is still active in various parts of PoK and various commanders of tanzeems (militant organisations) across the Line of Control continue to give orders for operations to be launched in Indian territory. The training camps are still active both across the LoC and across the International Border," the General Officer Commanding, 16 Corps, T.P.S. Brar, told presspersons at the Corps headquarters.

He was quick to add that it would not be difficult to assess when the support to the terrorists from across the LoC vanishes.

In the summer, the evidence of the support from the other side, including from the Pakistani army, becomes clear as shelling occurs along porous infiltration routes. For instance, the Pakistan Army has resorted to shelling at various locations, mainly in the Nowshera sector, as a cover to send in infiltrators. "In the last one week, 21 militants have been killed while trying to cross over to this side," he said.

The 16 Corps Commander also said that the fencing operations along the LoC until the Pir Panjal range would be completed in 16 months at an average of 50 km every four months. Trip wire was being used to prevent militants from scaling the fence.

Terming it one of the most difficult tasks undertaken by the Army in recent years, he said, "the Army's technical expertise is being put to use and engineers are working out the details."

Giving details about "Operation Sarp Vinash" in the Surankote hills, he said, "the success of the Army is apparent and we want to hold on these hills for quite some time. Various precautions are being taken to make sure that in future militants do not make it a stronghold."

The locals have been prohibited from moving to the hills for cattle grazing and, the Centre has compensated them with a total outlay of Rs.7.4 crores.

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