About 150 militants waiting at launch pads across LoC: BSF

Srinagar, Oct 11: Border Security Force Inspector General (Kashmir Frontier) Ashok Yadav said on Friday that about 150 militants are positioned at launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC) and are attempting to infiltrate into Kashmir as winter approaches.

However, he stated that security forces are prepared to thwart any such attempts, and troops along the LoC remain alert round the clock.

“The infiltration attempts continue, but the security forces, in coordination with the Indian Army, have a well-established domination plan along the border to counter these threats,” Ashok Yadav told reporters on the sidelines of a passing-out parade ceremony. “Intelligence inputs help shape our strategy, enabling us to monitor the number of militants present at launch pads and ensure that infiltration attempts are stopped.”

"The number of terrorists at the launch pads typically ranges between 130 and 150, though this can sometimes fluctuate," he said, adding that preparations are in place to counter infiltration attempts, especially as militants often try to cross into the Valley before winter sets in.

The senior BSF officer credited the success of the elections to the close coordination between the security forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the local administration. "Despite numerous threat inputs, our coordinated domination plan prevented any attacks, ensuring that the elections proceeded smoothly," he said.

When asked about the potential impact of the ongoing West Asia crisis on the situation in the Valley, Yadav said that while there are no specific inputs indicating militants trying to exploit the situation, security forces are considering these international developments in their operational planning.

The IG BSF also addressed the growing concern of narcoterrorism, stating that narcotics are being smuggled across the LoC and are a significant source of financing for militants.

“Vulnerable areas like the Tangdhar and Keran sectors have been targeted, but security forces have made strides in curbing this issue,” he said, adding that they have deployed mobile bunkers and women troopers to prevent the use of female couriers in drug smuggling, which has significantly reduced the inflow of narcotics.

“The BSF is also focused on enhancing its training and technology usage, with soldiers being equipped to handle both traditional border management tasks and newer technological challenges, such as drone detection,” he said, adding that the force is utilizing the Government of India's iGOT platform to provide advanced training to its personnel.