Security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border with Pakistan have been out on high alert following consistent firing by Pakistani forces over the last one week in gross violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Intelligence agencies have warned that the sudden spurt in heavy firing by Pakistani forces is a desperate move on their part to provide cover to largescale infiltration by militants waiting along the Indo-Pak border. An estimated 1,300-odd militant are said to be holed up at the launching pads close to the border looking for an ideal opportunity to sneak into India.
Highly-placed intelligence sources said that Krishna Ghati in the Poonch region in particular has been identified as an “extremely vulnerable” area for infiltration and security forces have already been directed to beef up patrolling there. Incidentally, heavy firing was reported from this region in the last two days as well.
Intelligence sources claimed there was largescale concern among Pakistani security establishment about the sharp drop in militant activities in Kashmir. Pakistani agencies, sources added, were extremely worried that even during the peak summer season, which is considered the best time for infiltration as mountain passes are extremely accessible, militants were unable to sneak across the border into India.
Security agencies suspect that taking cover of the heavy firing over the past one week at least some militants would have managed to cross over. The Kashmir Valley has yet again witnessed a bumper tourist season this summer which is seen as a big indicator of normalcy returning to the state. Security has also been strengthened in other parts of the Valley as well, anticipating that Pak-backed militant outfits may plan a big strike to send out a symbolic message.
The BSF, which has been deployed along the international border, will take up the issue during the high-level meeting with Pakistani Ranger scheduled to be held in the capital from July 1.