100-120 militants trying to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan: Indian Army

Three armed infiltrators suspected to be Pakistanis were killed on Thursday close to the Line of Control in Baramulla while trying to sneak into the Kashmir Valley through the Uri sector.

Addressing a press conference, the General officer Commanding of the 19th Infantry Division, Major General Ajay Chandpuri, said the presence of militants on launch pads and their continuous attempts to infiltrate was on despite a ceasefire along the LoC.

"Based on multiple inputs, it is our assessment that any point in time, opposite this sector alone, we have close to 100-120 terrorists attempting to infiltrate... So, while the ceasefire understanding is largely holding good for the benefit of the people on the both sides, the presence of terrorists ... and their continuous attempt to infiltrate is on," he said in Baramulla.

The 19th Infantry Division guards over 100 kmsof LoC from Gulmarg and Uri in Baramulla to Nowgam in Handwara.

The Major General, however, said infiltration has come down significantly.

"The LoC is over 740 km (in J&K) which includes very difficult terrain and spells of inclement weather. So, despite the vigilance, there are gaps from where they try and infiltrate terrorists and war-like stores. Now, with each passing day, the level of technology, the level of alertness is only improving, so the infiltration has come down significantly, which is also indicated by the peace on the hinterland,” the officer said.

“So, we feel they are getting more and more desperate to push these people from any way possible."

He said the elimination of militants in the Uri sector on Thursday within minutes sends a clear signal of the level of preparedness of the troops on the LoC.

He said an unusual discovery was a Chinese-made M-16 9mm calibre weapon.

"It would be too premature to speculate on the larger context of it. We will have to really examine and go into the details," he said.

(With UNI inputs)