Pak puts 5,000 soldiers along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, March 3, IRNA -- Pakistan has moved about 5,000 soldiers 
to the line of Control (LoC) to back up, for the first time ever, its 
claims of doing its best to prevent cross-border militancy. In another
first, the Indian Army has expressed its satisfaction over the step, 
the local press reported here on Wednesday. 
According to the Statesman, a New Delhi-based English daily, 
Pakistani soldiers have been posted along the LoC to check 
infiltration of militants into J&K, and they have achieved 
considerable success, Indian officials said. 
While the militant camps still exist, there is at least some sign 
that infiltration has come down, although the situation in April-May, 
when all the passes open, remains to be seen, the daily said. 
"Pakistan has set up about 20 posts with a brigade strength of 
troops along the LoC to check infiltration of militants, which has 
come down," a senior Indian defense official said. 
Infiltration along the international border in J&K is minimal. 
There were about half-a-dozen bids in the last year. 
Even though infiltration is down, there are still over 2,000 
militants in the state and the Pak Army plans to bring the number 
down to about 1,500 before summer sets in. 
Militancy will be less of a problem by early summer if the current
infiltration situation persists. An army officer said a large number 
of militants are being killed every day, sometimes even 10 or 12 a 
day. 
Pakistani measures apart, better technology and the creation 
of a second line to check the influx have been successful. 
But there is no sign the militant camps have been closed down. 
Indian radio intercepts show that the transmissions continue, the 
daily said. 
The controlling stations on the other side--there are about 35 
of them--and the sub-stations are exchanging thousands of messages, 
mostly coded, but many of them un-coded. As a result, there is the 
fear that infiltration, although down at the moment for a variety of 
reasons, could be stepped up, if Pakistan finds it necessary. 
With peace talks gaining momentum, the Army is now extra-careful 
while conducting operations in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The Army has 
been instructed not to touch overground activists for the moment 
although many have links with the rebels. 
The two governments have also decided that there will be flag 
meetings between local commanders as and when necessary. 
2160/LS/210 
End
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Pak puts 5,000 soldiers along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir
