Cross-border infiltration in Valley worries BSF

NEW DELHI: Though infiltration from across the Indo-Pakistan border this year has maintained its downward trend with 149 cases recorded until July, the security agencies are concerned over the jihadis��� use of the international border (IB), apart from the traditional crossing points along the Line of Control, to sneak into J&K.

���Earlier, the IB was relatively calm and there were hardly any attempts to break the fencing. Most infiltration attempts were through the LoC... now even the IB has become vulnerable,��� BSF outgoing director-general A K Mitra told newspersons here ahead of his superannuation on Tuesday.

According to him, seven infiltration attempts through the IB have been recorded in the recent past, of which five were foiled by alert BSF troops who eliminated six terrorists in the process. The concern over jihadis crossing over through the IB also stems from the fact that the infiltration attempts are often facilitated with a fire cover from the Pakistani Rangers.

Though BSF has complained to the Pakistani Rangers thrice on this account, the latter have denied facilitating any infiltration bids.

Of the 7 recent infiltration bids from across the IB, two were successful. Mr Mitra said the BSF was concerned about where these infiltrated terrorists ��� whose number is believed to be high, given that the more than 500 empty cartridges were found at the crossing point ��� may be headed.

The fear is that they may either step up terror activity in the J&K ahead of the state assembly poll or may have formed or joined a sleeper or active terror module to attack the hinterland.

The outgoing chief of BSF, which has two battalions deployed for counter-insurgency duties in J&K , warned the though the Valley may be peaceful at present, the calm may not really indicate normalcy as jihadi activity usual takes a backseat during the fasting month of Ramzan. ���That is a period when everything is put on hold,��� Mr Mitra pointed out adding that a correct conclusion of the law and order situation in J&K can be drawn once Eid is over on October 2.���

The BSF DG���s assessment is in consonance with that of the entire security establishment. Given the high likelihood of separatist forces using the post-Ramzan period to re-ignite passions in a bid to derail upcoming state poll, the centre and the J&K administration are taking no chances and are preparing for a crackdown on separatists��� attempts to block the installation of a democratic-elected government.