Year 2009 Sees Surge in Cross Border Infiltration in J&K

Cross border infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir has risen, with 433 such attempts recorded this year, about 90 more than last year.

During these attempts, an estimated 106 militants infiltrated into Indian territory.

“A total of 433 infiltration attempts were made by the militants along the Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir in 2009,” a senior police officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, Kuldeep Khoda admitted surge in incursion and said that security forces have taken measures to thwart such attempts and that it is a matter area of concern at a time when violence has gone down in Jammu and Kashmir.

Police figures show that 342 cross border infiltration attempts were made in 2008, while 2007 and 2006 recorded 535 and 573 such attempts respectively.

General Officer Commanding (GoC), 16 Corps, Lt Gen Rameshwar Roy said, “In coming time, we will not allow them to be successful in infiltrating militants into this side as troops are keeping a close guard over LoC with best training and vigilance.”

So far, 2003 saw the highest number of infiltration bids of 1,373 followed by 537 in 2004 and 597 in 2005.

An estimated 57 militants crossed over to this side in 2008 along LoC, followed by 311 militants in 2007 and 317 in 2006.

“We have strengthen the deployment along the International border, where infiltration bids have shot up. Where we feel there is need for more forces, it is being addressed to on an urgent basis. The winter border management plan has been put in place,” Inspector general of Border Security Force (BSF), Jammu frontier, A K Sarolia had said.

As many as 41 infiltrating militants were killed this year as against 80 infiltrators last year along the LoC.