Geelani expulsion: Hurriyat says can survive this crisis

NEW DELHI/ SRINAGAR: The Army has alerted its forward formations to counter a possible rise in infiltration from across the Line of Control in view of reports of snow melting in the mountain passes of the Pir Panjal ranges.

According to the Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Shantonu Chowdhury, levels of infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir would have to be closely monitored in light of these reports. ‘‘We have been told by 15 Corps that the passes are opening up in the Pir Panjals and we have alerted our troops,’’ Chowdhury said, on the sidelines of a function to flag off a NCC mountaineering expedition. ‘‘So far reports indicate that infiltration levels in J-K are the same,’’ he added.

In Srinagar, the Army today called Pakistan’s clampdown on Hizbul Mujahideen as ‘‘a good beginning’’ but said infiltration from across the border has started again recently.

‘‘We are keen to bring back peace. But we will wait and see what happens on ground here,’’ Lt. General V.G. Patankar, General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps said today. ‘‘The infiltration has started recently. It was not unexpected. Twelve militants were killed in one such attempt to infiltrate. Then there was another attempt in which three terrorists were killed,’’ he said. He said the Pakistani army units on the LoC did open fire on Indian positions to facilitate infiltration.

Gen Patankar said that the Army is launching a massive goodwill operation —‘‘Maitree Se Ujala — the nation cares’’ during June 4-11. ‘‘We are getting five hundred kids from across the country for a eight-day trip. They will spend time with Kashmiri children, understand the life in Kashmir.” (ENS)