Pakistan using drones for surveillance, launching pads in PaK remained active during winter: DGP

Srinagar, Feb 19 (UNI): Asserting that there was no letup in ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Wednesday said launching pads in Pakistan Administration Kashmir (PAK) remained loaded with militants even during winter.

The DGP said a Pakistani drone on Tuesday entered Indian Territory at Kathua in Jammu and hovered over a BSF post for about 10 to 11 minutes before action by soldiers forced it to go back.

Mr Singh said a huge number of militants are waiting on launching pads in PAK to infiltrate into this side. However, he said troops are alert and prepared to foil any attempts by militants to sneak into this side to create disturbance.

“We have noticed another important thing this winter. The launching pads which militants used to desert during winters following snowfall remained active in Keran and Karnah sector in north Kashmir district of Kupwara. These launching pads during this winter remained active. The activities on the other side of LoC, which used to come down during winter, also remained high as compared to previous years,” he said.

He said the intention of keeping these launching pads active even during winters was to sneak in militants into this side whenever it was possible.

“Even yesterday, a Pakistani drone entered the Indian Territory at Kathua in Jammu. The drone hovered over a BSF post for about 10 to 11 minutes. It was only after our troops fired at it that the drone was pulled back by Pakistan into its own territory. Such activities are going on along LoC on regular basis,” the DGP said.

He said asserted that ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) has continued from some time now as Pakistan wants to keep the militancy going in J&K. “The ceasefire violation has increased many folds and there is no letup in the situation. Few days back a civilian and a soldier were killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Rajori district of Jammu,” he added.

He said it is an attempt by Pakistan to keep the LoC active and volatile. “Pakistan is also violating ceasefire to help militants to infiltrate into this side,” he said.

The DGP said some of infiltration attempts by militants succeeded. “Three militants killed in Nagrota in Jammu had infiltrated from Pakistan. The driver and conductor who were ferrying the militants were caught alive. The duo has been handed over to NIA for questioning,” he said.