Militants may strike ahead of US Presidents visit to India: Army

5 Dariya News

New Delhi 15-Jan-2015

The Army Thursday warned that terrorists might try to carry out attacks ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit to India later this month.Addressing a press conference at White Knight Corps in Nagrota Jammu, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Army's 16 Corps, Lieutenant General KH Singh revealed there are inputs that militants might try to attack soft targets including schools and civilian areas ahead of the US President's visit. Army camps and important highways are also on the radar of terrorists, Lt Gen Singh added. He said that there is every possibility that Pakistan will try to pert some of the fringe elements of the home-grown terrorist outfits to the Indian side. He said nearly 200 militants in 36 launch pads across the Pir Panjal range are waiting to infiltrate into India.

General Officer Commanding (GoC) of Army's 16 Corps, Lieutenant General KH Singh however added that situation along the Line of Control (LoC), south of Pir Panjal, has been by and large peaceful at least for the last two months or so.“Our counter-infiltration posture is firmly in place, infiltration bids will be eliminated if any attempt is made,” Lt Gen Singh said. “The Indian Army remains prepared all the time for any eventuality, for anything that may unfold,” he assured. According to him, militants infrastructure in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) remains intact. This is also what Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag has stated, he added. The Pakistani security establishment is currently tackling its own home-grown terrorists, he said further.

He further added that the strength of approximately 200 terrorists poised for infiltration in area South of Pir Panjal Range is based on routine intelligence assessments which are carried out from time to time. These assessments are based on existing terror training camps and launch pads across Line of Control opposite Poonch and Rajouri districts. (CNS)