Srinagar, Dec 22: At least 36 terrorists have been killed along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir during 18 infiltration bids so far this year and a large chunk of war-like stores have also been recovered from their possession.
A senior Defense official told Rising Kashmir that the situation has significantly improved compared to past year. This year during the 18 infiltration bids 36 terrorists were killed besides the recovery of large war-like stores, he said.
He said post-Directorate Generals Military Operation (DGMO’s) understanding of February 2021, the situation along the Line of Control has significantly improved compared to pre-understanding violence levels.
“Relentless operations conducted in synergy with other agencies resulted in successful & incident-free conduct of international and national level events such as G-20 meetings and Amarnath Yatra with 4.45 Lakh yatris visiting the shrine,” he said.
The official said Jammu and Kashmir has recorded the arrival of more than two crore tourists up to November 2023, which is much beyond the number in year 2022.
“Synergised counter-terrorist operations also resulted in the elimination of 34 terrorists and the apprehension of four terrorists in the hinterland. 18 infiltration bids were eliminated on LC in which 36 terrorists were killed besides recovery of large war-like stores,” he added.
Regarding the situation in Northern Borders, the senior Defense official said that diplomatic and military efforts concerning the ongoing standoff along the LAC between the Indian Military and People’s Liberation Army (PLA), 20 rounds of Corps Commander Level Meetings, and 14 related Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) Meetings have been held.
“Both sides have agreed to maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations through the relevant military and diplomatic mechanisms. Indian Army has exercised the established border mechanisms to maintain peace and tranquillity along the LAC in all sectors,” the official said.
In 2022, a total of 16 rounds of CCL and 12 WMCC meetings were held along LAC.
About operational preparedness, he said the Indian Army maintained a high state of preparedness and ensured stability & dominance along all the frontiers including Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LC).
“Relentless Counter Terrorist operations were also carried out while maintaining high training standards and constantly reviewing emerging & future threats to national security,” he added.
Regarding the upgradation of border infrastructure, the official said work on 11 infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is underway in Jammu & Kashmir
The BRO has completed the construction of these strategically important projects in record time; most of them in a single working season using state-of-the-art technology.
He said the overall budget expenditure of BRO reached a record high of Rs 12,340 crore in FY 2022-23 with a 100% jump in the funds allocated under GS Capital Head over the preceding two years which now stands at Rs 5,000 crore.
The official further said that the Ministry of Defense has achieved a breakthrough of the 260m long Kandi Tunnel on NH-144A on Akhnoor to Poonch Road in October, despite adverse weather conditions.
“The work commenced in March. This tunnel will reduce the length of the road by 2.5 km and will play a vital role in enhancing connectivity from Jammu to Poonch,” he added.
The officer further said that the second phase of the upgradation of the Amarnath Yatra Tracks commenced in September. The Baltal Track has been realigned and BRO has successfully inducted a vehicle up to the Holy Cave through Sangam Base.
“Thus the track has now been sufficiently widened for induction of essential supplies. Also, the work on upgradation of Kalimata Track is in progress and will be made operational for the move of essential vehicles before the Amarnath Yatra of 2024,” he added.
The official further said that so far 2023 is the Year of Transformation for the Army. The process of transformation hinges on the five pillars- ‘Force Structuring and Optimisation’, ‘Modernisation & Technology Infusion’, ‘Systems, Processes & Functions’, ‘Human Resource Management’ and ‘Jointness & Integration’.
