Strict Vigil Along J&K Borders Amid Winter Infiltration Threat, Say Officials

Intelligence agencies have warned of an alleged desperate push by Pakistan-based intelligence agency ISI and militant groups to breach the border, reports Mohd Ashraf Ganie

Jammu:Security forces are bracing up for a new challenge along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border, with militants allegedly seeking to infiltrate sensitive areas of Jammu and Kashmir as winter sets in, top officials claim.

Intelligence agencies have warned of an alleged desperate push by Pakistan-based intelligence agency ISI and militant groups to breach the borders as heavy snowfall is expected to cover the mountainous terrain anytime soon.

They suggest that attempts to infiltrate through Jammu, Samba and Kathua in J&K and Punjab's Pathankot and Gurdaspur borders may take place, and security personnel are on high alert to combat that.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua, Shobhit Saksena, recently announced the implementation of comprehensive security measures to counter infiltration and drone-related activities, particularly during the challenging winter months around the Kathua border.

“The Jammu and Kashmir Police have prepared a winter security plan, under which the police, Special Operations Group, and BSF will jointly comb vulnerable areas along the border,” he said. “The infiltration-prone areas include river streams and dense vegetation, which are being closely monitored with security forces conducting area domination patrols,” Saksena said.

“The border route at Kathua has been the traditional infiltration route, and the security grid has been increased during the winter season to prevent infiltration. The area is guarded jointly by the BSF, SOG, and district police, and locals have been cooperating with the BSF personnel to maintain security along the infiltration route,” Saksena told reporters.

In addition to heightened vigilance, regular security drills and community outreach programs are being conducted to foster trust and cooperation with the local population. These proactive measures aim to maintain peace and safety in the region, the SSP said.

Meanwhile, in the Ramgarh region of the Samba sector, security forces are conducting search operations and monitoring every movement. “The BSF is keeping a watchful eye on activities from the Pakistani side, while the local police are gathering intelligence on suspicious activities with the help of locals,” a top official told ETV Bharat.

Citing intelligence reports, he claimed that groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen, and ISI are conspiring to infiltrate across the border as around 150 militants are reportedly stationed at various launch pads, waiting for an opportunity to cross in groups of 3–5.

The security forces recently claimed to have foiled infiltration attempts after several militants who managed to cross have been neutralized. In November alone, security forces killed around a dozen militants in various operations across Jammu and Kashmir, while many Over Ground Workers (OGWs) were arrested.

Recently, DIG Jammu, Samba, and Kathua Range Shiv Kumar Sharma told ETV Bharat in an exclusive interview that security forces are “maintaining comprehensive domination of the areas.” “Security forces, including police, are operating under challenging conditions, and we will be successful in neutralising the terrorists,” the DIG had said.

Sharma appealed to the locals in the region for their support in fighting the militants by providing information about suspicious activities.

“And the identity of the person will be kept secret, and a good reward for accurate and correct information will be given to the one who provides the information about the presence of terrorists DIG had said.

The heightened security follows the recent attacks on security forces and the killing of many foreign militants affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad and other militant organizations in separate encounters in the upper Jammu division of Kathua.

Militants usually use the critical infiltration routes passing through Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Rajouri, and Poonch districts for infiltration and drones are being used by militants to drop weapons etc.

Meanwhile, advanced technology is also being deployed to strengthen border surveillance. This includes the installation of CCTV cameras, night-vision cameras, drones, and other modern equipment to monitor and detect any suspicious activity in the border area.

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