Two Pak-based LeT militants arrested in Gulmarg

Srinagar: Asserting that two Pak-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants were arrested by security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in world famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir, a top Army officer on Wednesday said that repeated attempts by ultras to infiltrate into this side have been foiled.

However, he said the militants were trying every night to infiltrate in large numbers into the valley from the launching pads in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK). 

''Today we are here to share some information about instances of militancy being sponsored and attempts by Pakistan to disrupt peace and harmony in Kashmir valley, especially after August 5,'' Chinar Crops Commander Lt Gen K J S Dhillon, flanked by Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, told reporters during a press conference here on Wednesday.

He said security forces were successful in arrested two LeT militants, both residents of Pakistan, from Kashmir on August 21. ''The two terrorists, identified as Khalil Ahmad and Mohammad Nazim, were arrested during an operation along the LoC in Gulmarg sector,'' he said.

The Lt Gen said that the infiltration attempts are being done every night only along the LoC in Kashmir frontier, but also along International Border (IB) in Jammu and borders of Punjab. However, he said not withstanding that, all the infiltration attempts are being countered at the LoC.

''As of now the information available with us is that there is not a single infiltration attempt which has been successful in Kashmir valley,'' he added.

Lt Gen Dhillon said there were no cease violations between March 12 to July 30. But, he said again on July 30 unprovoked ceasefire violation was done by Pakistani troops for which India raised a hotline with DGMO Pakistan. ''We have a right to respond and we did respond. We targeted the areas from where the shelling was coming from,'' he said.

The Lt Gen said post August 5 (when Article 370 and Article 35 A were scrapped) there have been three to four ceasefire violations, including one in Gurez sector, where because of Pakistan shelling two villages were injured and 8 to 10 houses were gutted. 

He said Pakistani Army is targeting villagers on the LoC though local administration is doing everything possible to facilitate the people living in the border areas.(UNI)