Date:17/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/17/stories/2003041705161200.htm

National

`Right time to expose Pak. designs'

By Our Staff Reporter

JAMMU APRIL 16. The Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, J.B.S.Yadava, today said the Iraq war would help India expose Pakistan and its support to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir to the international community. This was the appropriate time to do so, he added.

Lt. Ge. Yadava was here in connection with the ongoing 4th Rashtriya Rifles meet, which is assessing the counter-insurgent strategies in the State for this year. The Rashtriya Rifles is the main counter insurgent wing of the army for the whole State and has been operational for over a decade.

At the meeting where all the six GoCs participated, the field commanders apprised Lt. Gen. Yadava of the ground situation and the situation prevailing at the Line of Control (LoC). The internal troop deployment to strengthen the Counter Insurgent Grid (CIG) during summer was also discussed. This is the first time the meet is being held in the State.

Warning Pakistan to stop infiltration, Lt. Gen. Yadava said: "The time has come for Pakistan to change its ways. Otherwise, it will pay a heavy price. The allied troops primarily attacked Iraq in the name of countering terrorism."

"After a slight dip in infiltration, there is again an increase. The terrorist camps have again been active. The infiltrators are adopting new strategies and making bold attempts to make their way into India." The infiltrators were using night-vision glasses with the help of which they see the locations of the Indian troops on the LoC. Anti-mine shoes are being used to escape mines dotted on the LoC.

Asserting that the Army was vigilant, he said, "Various strategies are being planned to meet the threat both on the borders as well as internal security for this year. The whole LoC is not being fenced due to the large terrain but places where there is increased infiltration will be plugged by barbed wires."

As per the recent decision taken by the Cabinet Committee for Security, the number of battalions of the Rashtriya Rifles would now be increased from 53 to 66 and this would cover the entire State.

More sophisticated night surveillance equipment, including thermal sensors, will be used. Long-range weapons covering a wider area were also being planned. The protection gear of the soldiers will also be increased.