Poonch:
Just two days after top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) commander Habib Gujjar was killed in Kishtwar, there is another setback for the outfit. LeT's divisional commander Abu Usmaan has been killed in an ongoing encounter raging in the forests of Surankote, in the border district of Poonch.
The frequency of encounters has gone up across Jammu and Kashmir, based on specific inputs. In the last 10 days, there have been at least eight major infiltration bids and at least six soldiers and 10 militants have been killed.
"This year what has actually been very marked has been the elimination of about 11 to 12 top leaders, both of the Lashkar, the Jaish and partially the Hisbul Mujahiddeen, which has actually resulted in the levels of desperation now. I'm hoping to be able to cash on this because there are desperate bids going on the Line of Control (LoC)," said Lt General SA Hasnain, GoC, 15 Corps.
According to the police, the militants across the state are on the run and most of the operations targeting them are initiated by the security forces based upon intelligence inputs.
Intelligence inputs suggest, across the LoC, several hundred militants are waiting for infiltration at the launching pads, before the snow closes the passes. The Army has been extremely vigilant on the border because of these inputs.
"Our counter-infiltration posture is very strong and it continues to be refined by the day. We have got a fence, we have electronic surveillance, we have sensors, UAVs, you name it and we have it here. Our troops are extremely motivated and extremely vigilant. So, as a result of this we have had zero infiltration so far this year," said Lt General JP Nehra, GoC 16 Corps.
As India gears up for Independence Day, the coming days will be very crucial for the security forces, with a sudden spurt in encounters and increased infiltrations.