150-200 militants staged in camps across Line of Control: Army

JAMMU: Stating that militants attempt to enter into Jammu and Kashmir before the onset of winter, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of 16 Corps Lt Gen K H Singh today claimed there are "150 to 200 militants" staged in various camps on the other side of the border in a bid to infiltrate into this side.

"In South of Pir Panchal 150 to 200 militants are staged in militant camps (set to infiltrate to this side)," Lt Gen Singh told reporters here.

He said, "This is the time... During July, August and September -- before the onset of winter -- the militants try to infiltrate into our territory."

Lt Gen Singh was talking to reporters on the sidelines of an event to mark the 15th Anniversary of Vijay Diwas at Corps Headquarters, Nagrota on the city outskirts.

The Army commander maintained that the militants keep moving up and down at the launching pads and the Army is maintaining tight vigil along the Line of Control (LoC) to foil their bid.

On the issue of recent attacks on troops along the LoC, he said, "In Akhnoor there were two incidents in last two months or so. They are carrying out such attacks and we are taking adequate action and many militants have been killed on the LoC."

On a query regarding the involvement of Pakistani Army in these attacks, he said, "We cannot confirm or deny the involvement of the Pakistani Army, but we have a reason to believe that if they are serious, the Pakistani Army can also discourage them from coming across to our side."