NAGROTA (JK): Army today said there were inputs about possibility of attacks by Pakistan-based terror outfits on “soft targets” such as schools, religious places, military convoys and civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of US President Barack Obama’s India visit later this month.
General Officer Commanding (GOC), 16 Corps, Lt Gen K H Singh said that 200 heavily-armed militants were waiting in 36 launching pads across the Line of Control (LoC) on the other side of Pir Panjal range and there is every possibility that Pakistan might try to divert the fringe elements of the home grown terrorist outfits on this side of the border.
“There are general inputs that terrorists might try to attack soft targets, including schools, religions places, army convoys and other civilian areas,” he told reporters here.
Singh said the army was fully prepared to foil any such nefarious designs of the terrorist organisations.
“There are 200 terrorists waiting in 36 launching pads across the border on the other side of the Pir Panjal range to sneak into Indian side, we have so far been able to foil their attempts,” he said.
Singh said the terror infrastructure across the border is active and terrorist organisations were receiving the support of Pakistani establishment including the army and ISI.
“There are 14 to 15 terrorists training camp active on the other side of the line of control within our area of responsibility.
“The terrorist infrastructure across the border is intact and there is every possibility that Pakistan might try to divert some of its home grown terrorists towards this side of the border,” he said.
Singh said there could be a possibility that some disgruntled elements of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan might surrender to the Pakistani Army, which can be used to launch attacks against India.
He said that less than two months ago the chief of banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hafiz Sayeed, was reported to have visited the areas along the border in Pakistan to motivate his cadre to launch anti-India attacks.
On a question whether India was ready to launch a counter attack on the terror infrastructure across the border, Singh said the army is always prepared to face any eventuality.
He said that there were 37 active militants in Jammu region, but their movements are under check by the security agencies.
“There are 80 to 90 people involved in militancy in Jammu region including 37 active militants, the rest are sleeper cells, but we make sure that we continue to dominate them so they cannot launch any operation,” Singh said.
While Pakistan-based terror outfits were trying to infiltrate militants in to the Indian side, Singh said the army has been foiling their attempts.
“Several infiltration attempts were made, but we foiled all such attempts from their side,” he added. -PTI
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