Retired Pak soldiers among infiltrating terrorists: Lt. Gen Dwivedi

Srinagar, Nov 24: Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command said on Friday that some infiltrating terrorists are retired Pakistani soldiers who have crossed over from across the border.
Addressing the media following the tribute ceremony for five soldiers, including two Army Captains, who lost their lives in the Rajouri fire-fight, Lt Gen Dwivedi emphasised the sacrifice of the brave soldiers in eliminating two formidable terrorists.
“This is a major setback to the terrorists’ eco-system and Pakistan. As many as 20-25 terrorists could be operating in the area. We should be able to control the situation in one year’s time,” he said.
On being asked if some of the terrorists could be soldiers of the Pakistan Army’s Special Forces, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi said some of the terrorists have been found to be retired soldiers.
“Pakistan wants to bring foreign terrorists here as there are no local recruits here. We are trying to eliminate the foreign terrorists,” he added.
He highlighted the dedication of the troops who pursued the well-trained and equipped foreign terrorists without regard for their personal safety. The successful operation not only neutralised the terrorists but also delivered a significant blow to the terror ecosystem and Pakistan.
Lt Gen Dwivedi acknowledged the ongoing threat, estimating that 20-25 terrorists might still be operating in the area. However, he expressed confidence in controlling the situation within a year with the assistance of local support.
He said that the terrorists targeted for elimination were responsible for the tragic killing of innocent civilians in Dangri, Kandi, and Rajouri. “Their removal became a top priority for the joint forces engaged in the operation,” the Lt. Gen said.
“These terrorists may have undergone training in various countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan. Their high level of training prolonged the operation, but our troops displayed exceptional courage,” Lt Gen Dwivedi.
Despite facing formidable challenges, he praised the dedication and exceptional courage displayed by the troops. Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht, one of the fallen soldiers, had pledged to eliminate the terrorists within seven days.
The Northern Command chief highlighted the security concerns in Poonch, noting the increased risk due to its connectivity with the rest of the country through a highway. Over the past year, 10 civilians lost their lives in terrorist incidents in the area.
“Over the past year, 10 civilians lost their lives in terrorist incidents here. The security forces remain vigilant and motivated. Through valuable information provided by local sources, we have identified terrorist hideouts, including those involved in the Dangri attack,” he stated.
“Some infiltrating terrorists, traced back to across the Line of Control (LoC), have been identified as retired Pakistani soldiers,” the Northern Command chief added.
The encounter, which took place in the dense forests of Kalakote, resulted in the successful neutralization of two terrorists, including a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander known as Quari. Large quantities of ‘War Like Stores’ were recovered from the encounter site, and Quari, implicated in orchestrating several attacks, was a significant figure in the insurgency.
The mortal remains of the four fallen soldiers—Captain M V Pranjal, Captain Shubham Gupta, Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht, and Paratrooper Sachin Laur—were brought to Jammu, where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, accompanied by senior officials, bid a tearful farewell during the wreath-laying ceremony. A similar ceremony for Havildar Abdul Majid, a resident of Poonch, is scheduled later in the day.