The Ministry of Defence (MoD) will carry out a detailed study of US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld’s offer to deploy electronic sensors along the borders to curb infiltration.‘‘The Cabinet Committee on Security discussed the US offer today and the MoD will carry out a study on the feasibility of deploying underground sensors at the LoC,’’ a MoD spokesperson said here.The Government has placed some of the sensors already in one part of the LoC to test their capabilities. And they have been well-received by troops on the ground there.‘‘We have introduced the system in one part of the LoC and the infiltration detection rate has gone up by 20 per cent,’’ said Lt. Gen. J.B.S. Yadava, General Officer Commanding Nagrota Corps, today. ‘‘However, there is no replacement for human intelligence and deterrence. With all its high technology and surveillance equipment even the US is unable to stop illegal immigration,’’ he added.Echoing Yadava’s views, Maj. Gen. Sudhir Sharma said: ‘‘The sensors certainly will be a force multiplier. However, until we carry out a feasibility study, it will be too premature to change the tactical framework of counter-infiltration procedures.’’Highly placed sources in the Udhampur-based Northern Command told The Indian Express that the first batch of US-made sensors have already been tried out at the LoC in ‘‘North Kashmir and they appear to be working quite well’’.‘‘The use of high technology equipment like the sensors will reduce the pressure on the troops. These sensors are of different types — magnetic, pressure-charged and infra red. The sensors, which are planted at the LoC, emit digital signals which can be seen on a screen at the mother station at the base. These signals are emitted continuously,’’ an official said.
