Pak still sending militants across: Vij

There has been no let-up in Pakistan’s bid to push militants into Jammu and Kashmir but fencing and increased vigil by troops have reduced infiltration to a large extent, Army Chief Gen N C Vij said today.

‘‘Border-fencing, installation of modern gadgets and stepped-up vigilance have helped in preventing infiltration from across the border appreciably, even as there has been no let-up from Pakistan in pushing militants into Jammu and Kashmir,’’ he told reporters here. As many as 500 militants were waiting at launching pads across the border to enter J-K, the Army Chief said, adding that they were finding it difficult because of the vigilance maintained by Indian troops.

Gen Vij said troops have intercepted 14,000 to 15,000 messages suggesting militants’ readiness to infiltrate into the Valley. Last year, 250 infiltration bids were made and 500 militants sneaked into the state, he said. In August this year, 27 infiltration bids were made and severel such attempts foiled by alert troops in June and July, Gen Vij said.