Infiltration attempts on the rise in J&K; more launch pads too

NEW DELHI: Infiltration attempts in winter months across the Line of Control in Jammu & Kashmir have more than doubled since 2011 and official estimates for successful attempts have more than doubled compared with last year, according to intelligence sources.

The steady rise of infiltration comes even as the nation's attention has been focussed on the Chinese incursion in the East and a sense that Nawaz Sharif's ascension to power in Pakistan will bring stability to the Western border.

According to a multi-agency estimate, 40 people have attempted to infiltrate across the LoC so far in 2013, up from 17 in 2011 and 31 in 2012. Alarmingly, while only seven people are estimated to have succeeded, 15 have made successful attempts this year.

The rise in infiltration activity has happened across Mendhar, Poonch-Rajouri, Uri and Kupwara sectors. Indian Army's 15 Corps and 16 Corps are deployed in this region.

Agencies have also detected increased activity in the so-called launch pads, regions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir where a trained militant begins his attempt to cross over.