Climate Change Gives Infiltration Scare to Army.
NEW DELHI: For the Indian Army, climate change is no longer an
academic or Prime Time television debate. It is more about a matter of
survival.
This year, the fast-changing weather conditions have not only influenced
a series of avalanche killing at least 14 soldiers, but have also
resulted in sudden surge in terrorist infiltration from across the
border. Army officers indicate that global warming and moderate snowfall
in the Kashmir Valley this winter facilitated the year-long operation
of Pakistani terrorists’ launch pads in Topa Machian and Tat Pani in
Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
A military expert claimed that though avalanche occurred due to many
factors, including earthquake, the unexpectedly short snowfall season is
one of the main reasons behind the natural disaster. A couple of weeks
back, two Army jawans were buried in snow in Turtuk area of Ladakh after
an avalanche hit their patrol team. In February, 10 soldiers of 19
Madras were trapped under snow near Sonam post at Siachen.
Simultaneously, poor snowfall failed to close mountain passes, which are
being used by terrorists to infiltrate into Indian territories.
According to a military estimate, since January, over two dozen heavily
armed militants have managed to cross the Line of Control (LoC) from the
height above 11,000-13000 feet in north Kashmir. Experts also believe
that in the period between January and March, the possibility of
infiltration from other side of the fence is ‘extremely remote’ as the
entire area from where they manage to enter is usually covered with
heavy snow.
But this time, January and February have witnessed at least four fierce
encounters between the security forces and terrorists in Pulwama and
Keran sectors. This year, the security forces killed 25 militants in
operations so far, which is highest in recent years in first three
months. Among the killed, 19 belonged to LeT and six to Hizbul
Mujahideen.
Army sources claimed that nearly 150 militants are waiting to infiltrate
from over a dozen launch pads in PoK. Intelligence sources also
maintained that still 160 terror camps and 45 launch pads are active in
LoC in the PoK.
The terror modules trained by battle hardened commanders of LeT and Pak
army regulars in militant camps in Sensa near Kotli, Pakistan Occupied
Kashmir, are launched from Nikial. The launch pads are active in Topa
Machian, Tat Pani. Sources also added that Shardi in Muzafferabad has
another camp for terrorists. Terrorists have been using Nunwain Gali,
Sarkuli, Murdari Bahik and Masrur Bada Bhai route to infiltrate into
Indian territory.
Reference : http://www.indiandefensenews.in/
0 comments:
Post a Comment