NEW DELHI-: The Army has redoubled efforts to plug the infiltration routes from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir into the Valley Mia the Pir Panjal range in the Poonch-Rajauni area. This is party in anticipation of the Stepping up OF infiltration efforts by Pakistan when the snow begins for melt.
The effort is also occasioned by the redrawing of plans by the Amy. The plan now involves redeployment of a sizable percentage of reserve troops from the rear to plug gaps between the numerous border posts that stretch across the hilly ridge line along the LC. The new operational plan is based on the Limit of infiltration participate which denotes an imaginary line or point beyond which no infiltration is to be permitted.
Between January and March this year there have been 554 incidents of firing from across the LC. This includes 102 rockets fired from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) mostly by Pakistani troops and 14 rockets fired from within Indian Territory mostly by militants. But since April both rocket attacks and firing incidents have been stepped up by the Pakistani side. For example the frequency of rocket attacks between the Bimbar Gali-Poonch stretches of the LC has been averaging up to four a day.
Apart from serving a tactical purpose Army sources attribute this escalation to psy ops. (Psychological operations) from the Pakistani side which recently has included circulation of fake currency notes. The tactical purpose is to keep the army engaged and distracted from potential infiltration routes apart from giving a degree of unpredictability to the LC environment.
Another serious dimension has been stepped up intrusions by Pakistani troops to occupy Indian Territory and obtain tactical dominance. About three weeks ago Indian troops repulsed such an attack in Dulanag (Kargil area) where a platoon strength of about 30 Pakistan infantry meningressed up to about 500 yards into Indian Territory. Several Pakistani soldiers were killed while most of them fled to PoK.
Unless it is checked and preventive measures taken circulation of counterfeit currency will have serious socioeconomic fallout. This classic method of psy ops and subversion will not only be difficult to check but will overburden the civil and police administration. Fortunately for the security forces the internal security situation has not become serious like in the Doda-Kishtwar hinterland. This is attributed to several factors. Firstly the population of this hilly region does not enjoy ethnic affinity with that of the Valley. Secondly the local populace is MO rein ward-looking owing to the hard life they lead in this backward area the third factor is attributed to the demographic pattern while fourthly the local population has a history of communal harmony which is strengthened by the memories of atrocities inflicted on the locals by Pakistani troops and raiders in 1947-48
There has also been a bright side to the solar activated rocket attacks by the Pakistani soldiers and militants. There have been reports of the local population which has been a major target demonstrating against Pakistan.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 8, 1994
