This Article is From May 18, 2016

Infiltration Attempts Dramatically Go Up In Kashmir

Security forces are engaged in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district for the last 24 Hours.

Srinagar: For the last 24 hours, security forces are engaged in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district. So far, one terrorist has been killed in the firefight at Zunreshi village, not far away from the Line of Control. Police and army suspect up to four terrorists could be hiding there; sources say the terrorists may have infiltrated from Pakistan last week.

The encounter took place two days after the arrest of a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist, Adbul Rehman Khan in Baramulla. Khan, a Pakistani national, has told interrogators that Pakistan is pushing more terrorists for fidayeen or suicide attacks in Kashmir this summer.

"Abdul Rehman was assigned to carry out recruitment for JeM in Baramulla and Sopore. The overall aim was to carry out big fidayeen attacks. This is the first time when a group has entered specifically to carry out fidayeen attacks in the valley," said Major General JS Nain, GOC 19 Division of Army at Baramulla.
 

Abdul Rehman was assigned to carry out recruitment for JeM in Baramulla and Sopore.

Security sources say infiltration has dramatically gone up this year. There were 18 infiltration attempts reported till April this year, in which over 30 terrorists entered the Valley. Last year, the infiltration was zero in the first four months. Officials say at present, there are close to 200 terrorists in the Valley.

While the Army is downplaying the infiltration reports, they admit that there is pressure on terrorists to infiltrate.

"There is pressure on terrorists from their groups and handlers to infiltrate in large numbers this season," said Major General JS Nain.

Army sources also say there is a robust counter infiltration mechanism along the Line of Control.
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