News Analysis India

Tag: infiltration

  • India Will Enter Pakistan To Kill Terrorists If They Flee There: Rajnath Singh |

    NEW DELHI: In a resolute warning to terror outfits, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has affirmed India’s commitment to thwarting terrorism, even if it means crossing the borders. Responding to recent allegations and echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertive stance, Singh stated that India would pursue terrorists who seek refuge in Pakistan after perpetrating acts of violence in India. “20 terrorists ko maara hai? Koi bhi terrorist hamare padosi desh se yadi Bharat ko disturb karne ki koshish karega, ya yahan par aatankwadi harkatein karega, to uska muh tod jawab denge. Yadi woh bhaag kar Pakistan mein jayega, to Pakistan mein ghus kar maarenge (Did you say we killed 20 terrorists? If any terrorist from Pakistan tries to disturb India, or commits terrorist acts here, we will give a befitting response. If he runs away to Pakistan, we will go there and kill him),” Rajnath Singh while speaking to a private media house.

    No Tolerance For Terrorism: Rajnath

    Singh emphasized India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism, asserting that the country will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who disturb its peace. He reiterated India’s desire for peaceful relations with neighbouring countries but underscored the nation’s readiness to respond firmly to any threat to its security.

    Escalating Tensions

    Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following the 2019 Pulwama attack, which India attributed to Pakistan-based militants. The subsequent airstrikes by India on terrorist targets in Pakistan further strained relations between the two nations.

    International Allegations

    Recent allegations, particularly highlighted by UK-based media outlet The Guardian, have accused India of extrajudicial killings in Pakistan. These claims have sparked international scrutiny and contributed to the ongoing diplomatic friction between India and Pakistan. The Guardian report came months after Canada and the US accused India of killing or attempting to kill Khalistani terrorists in those countries. Canada said in September that it was pursuing “credible allegations” linking India to the death of a Sikh separatist leader shot dead in June – claims that India said were “absurd and motivated”. A top Canadian official said in January that India was cooperating in the matter and bilateral ties were improving. Similarly, the US said in November that it had thwarted an Indian plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader and announced charges against a person it said had worked with India to orchestrate the attempted murder.

    Denial And Counterclaims

    New Delhi, however, maintains that targeted killings in other countries are not a policy of the Indian government. The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated its stand that it has no role to play in these killings. The MEA claimed that they were ‘false and malicious anti-India propaganda’. 

    Despite these tensions, efforts to improve bilateral relations have been observed, with India expressing a willingness to cooperate in investigations. Both Canada and the US have acknowledged India’s cooperation in addressing the allegations, signalling a potential thaw in diplomatic relations.

    Prime Minister Modi has reiterated India’s commitment to investigating any information regarding alleged extraterritorial activities. This commitment underscores India’s adherence to the rule of law and its determination to address accusations transparently.

  • Will fulfil Shah’s Lok Sabha seat target in West Bengal: Majumdar

    The BJP’s West Bengal president Sukanta Majumdar has flagged the issue of infiltration and said his party will contest the upcoming general election in the state on the planks of “large-scale corruption” of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and the performance of the Narendra Modi government at the Centre.

    “Infiltration is the biggest challenge faced by Bengal and it is a question of how the state can be saved,” Majumdar told ET in an exclusive interview. “The law and order situation is precarious in West Bengal, especially in some parts like the border area of Sandeshkhali. Demography in these bordering regions has completely changed over the years since independence. If we compare the census in 1947 and the last census in 2011, there is a huge change in the demography due to infiltration.”

    Poll Planks”We will fight the Lok Sabha polls on two issues – large-scale corruption of Trinamool Congress and PM Narendra Modi’s performance in the last few years and Modi’s developmental model,” Majumdar said.

    Talking about candidate selection for the upcoming polls, he said, “We will consider certain factors during candidate selection for Lok Sabha polls – whether they are associated with the party’s work actively, ideological background and clean image. These three factors will be considered with utmost importance during candidate selection.”

    While inducting new workers into the party, the BJP aims to focus on fresh faces with a clean image, he said. “Fresh faces will be taken into the party. We will not accept rotten potatoes. We will rather focus on fresh faces and karyakartas (workers) instead of leaders,” he said.The BJP has worked hard to build an organisational base in the state in the past few years, Majumdar said. “We have built a strong organisational structure and the number of people in the booths is far higher than that in 2019. We have become stronger and booths have also been strengthened. We will be able to fulfil the target set by Amit Shah for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls,” he said.Shah has fixed a target of winning 35 out of the 42 seats in the state in the Lok Sabha polls. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the BJP had won 18 seats, up from two seats in 2014.

    Rohingyas

    “There is a presence of Rohingyas in Sandeshkhali area. People like Shahjahan Sheikh have given place in the area to the Rohingyas in and around the fisheries and they are used by the Trinamool Congress politically. The Trinamool Congress government in Bengal is aware of it but they are silent on the matter. It is an open secret,” Majumdar said, adding that large tracts of areas where fisheries are run in Sandeshkhali and adjacent areas are a haven of illegal and anti-social activities.

    Talking about the central government’s intervention on AITC leader Shahjahan Sheikh, Majumdar said, “It should be an administrative decision as to what kind of central intervention is required to control these kind of incidents. The Centre should intervene in the matter depending on the law of the land.”

    Majumdar had written a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah last Friday, seeking intervention of the Centre and National Investigation Agency probe into the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials who went to raid Sheikh’s residence in connection with alleged Public Distribution System case. The officials were attacked and suffered serious injuries during the attack. “It is not only merely an attack on the Enforcement Directorate but an attack on the Constitution of India and sovereignty of the country,” said Majumdar.

  • Infiltration bid foiled along LoC in J&K; one ultra killed 

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: The Army on Thursday foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Tangdhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir, killing one terrorist.

    “Indian Army eliminated an infiltration attempt in forward areas of Tangdhar sector on the night of 15/16 February 2023, thereby preventing efforts of Pakistan to destabilise peace and tranquillity in Kashmir valley and successfully maintaining higher moral ascendancy over the enemy along the Line of Control,” a defence spokesman said here.

    Giving details, the spokesman said troops deployed in an anti-infiltration grid detected movement of three terrorists across the LoC while they were approaching the LoC fence.

    “On being challenged at close proximity to the post, an intense firefight ensued between the terrorists and alert troops, resulting in successful elimination of one terrorist, while grievously injuring the other. The injured terrorist managed to flee to PoJK, along with the third terrorist, taking advantage of darkness,” he added.

    The spokesman said a search operation was launched in the morning following which a body was recovered.

    An AK series rifle, one light automatic weapon, six magazines, two grenades and large quantity of war-like stores was also recovered.

    “Continued infiltration bids along the LoC are an uncanny reminder of Pakistan’s efforts to orchestrate terrorism in Kashmir valley and disrupt peace and harmony, while putting on the facade of ceasefire understanding,” he added.

    SRINAGAR: The Army on Thursday foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control (LoC) in Tangdhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir, killing one terrorist.

    “Indian Army eliminated an infiltration attempt in forward areas of Tangdhar sector on the night of 15/16 February 2023, thereby preventing efforts of Pakistan to destabilise peace and tranquillity in Kashmir valley and successfully maintaining higher moral ascendancy over the enemy along the Line of Control,” a defence spokesman said here.

    Giving details, the spokesman said troops deployed in an anti-infiltration grid detected movement of three terrorists across the LoC while they were approaching the LoC fence.

    “On being challenged at close proximity to the post, an intense firefight ensued between the terrorists and alert troops, resulting in successful elimination of one terrorist, while grievously injuring the other. The injured terrorist managed to flee to PoJK, along with the third terrorist, taking advantage of darkness,” he added.

    The spokesman said a search operation was launched in the morning following which a body was recovered.

    An AK series rifle, one light automatic weapon, six magazines, two grenades and large quantity of war-like stores was also recovered.

    “Continued infiltration bids along the LoC are an uncanny reminder of Pakistan’s efforts to orchestrate terrorism in Kashmir valley and disrupt peace and harmony, while putting on the facade of ceasefire understanding,” he added.

  • Army foils infiltration bid, kills three terrorists along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch

    By PTI

    JAMMU: The army foiled an infiltration bid and gunned down three terrorist in an encounter along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday, officials said.

    While the body of one of the terrorists was recovered by soldiers, bodies of the other two, lying across the LoC, were taken back by villagers of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), they said.

    “At about 1000 hours today, alert soldiers of the army observed suspicious movement of some individuals along the Line of Control in the Poonch sector (J-K), wherein they were trying to infiltrate across the Line of Control into the Indian side,” a defence spokesman said.

    The soldiers challenged the infiltrators who opened fire on them, he said.

    In an ensuing fire fight, three terrorists was killed, the officials said.

    Body of one of the terrorists has been recovered along with two AK-47 rifles, a pistol and war-like stores, the spokesman said.

    The villagers in PoK carried back the bodies of the other two terrorists, the officials said.

    The operation continues and a search of the area is underway, the defence spokesman said.

    JAMMU: The army foiled an infiltration bid and gunned down three terrorist in an encounter along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday, officials said.

    While the body of one of the terrorists was recovered by soldiers, bodies of the other two, lying across the LoC, were taken back by villagers of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), they said.

    “At about 1000 hours today, alert soldiers of the army observed suspicious movement of some individuals along the Line of Control in the Poonch sector (J-K), wherein they were trying to infiltrate across the Line of Control into the Indian side,” a defence spokesman said.

    The soldiers challenged the infiltrators who opened fire on them, he said.

    In an ensuing fire fight, three terrorists was killed, the officials said.

    Body of one of the terrorists has been recovered along with two AK-47 rifles, a pistol and war-like stores, the spokesman said.

    The villagers in PoK carried back the bodies of the other two terrorists, the officials said.

    The operation continues and a search of the area is underway, the defence spokesman said.

  • Two terrorists killed at near LoC in JK’s Kupwara

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Two terrorists were killed as security forces foiled an infiltration bid near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday, police said.

    Srinagar-based PRO Defence Col Emron Musavi said that based on specific intelligence inputs received from police and other intelligence agencies of likely infiltration attempt in Machil sector, troops were put on high alert and joint ambushes of police and Army laid.

    At around 7:30 am in prevailing poor weather conditions, alert troops observed two armed infiltrators crossing the LoC near Tekri Nar, Machil, he said.

    The infiltrating terrorists were engaged and both terrorists were ”neutralised”, the PRO Defence said.

    He said two AK 47 rifles, six AK magazines, 53 AK 47 rounds, four hand grenades, two pistols, two pistol magazines, 35 pistol rounds, along with some Pakistani currency and food items were found from the possession of the slain ultras.

    SRINAGAR: Two terrorists were killed as security forces foiled an infiltration bid near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Machil sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Sunday, police said.

    Srinagar-based PRO Defence Col Emron Musavi said that based on specific intelligence inputs received from police and other intelligence agencies of likely infiltration attempt in Machil sector, troops were put on high alert and joint ambushes of police and Army laid.

    At around 7:30 am in prevailing poor weather conditions, alert troops observed two armed infiltrators crossing the LoC near Tekri Nar, Machil, he said.

    The infiltrating terrorists were engaged and both terrorists were ”neutralised”, the PRO Defence said.

    He said two AK 47 rifles, six AK magazines, 53 AK 47 rounds, four hand grenades, two pistols, two pistol magazines, 35 pistol rounds, along with some Pakistani currency and food items were found from the possession of the slain ultras.

  • Terrorist gunned down, jawan hurt as Army foils infiltration bid in Kashmir

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The soldiers of the Indian Army have foiled an infiltration attempt where a group of terrorists were trying to cross the Line of Control with Kupwara, Kashmir.

    Sources told The New Indian Express, “Infiltration bid has been foiled on LOC in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara area of North Kashmir 1 terrorist killed and one Army jawan also injured.”

    As per the sources, “there were three terrorists trying to infiltrate” and in the ensuing gunfight a soldier of the local Army unit got injured and “is in critical condition.”

    There has been the input of increased infiltration attempts and the security forces, Indian Army, Central Armed Police forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police have raised their anti-infiltration and also counter-terror operations.

    The forces in Jammu and Kashmir operate in a grid system for quick reaction and to cover maximum ground.

    Amidst the information of the infiltration bid sources in the Army view this and a few previous attempts as part of a plan to push more terrorists into Kashmir as the snow has melted due to summer season.

    As reported by this newspaper a few days back 120 militants eliminated in security operations in Kashmir till June 29 this year, 32 were foreign terrorists.” Only 55 terrorists were killed in the corresponding period in 2021 of which two were foreign terrorists

  • Infiltration attempts by Pakistan in J-K declined in 2021: Lt Gen DP Pandey

    By ANI

    Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir): General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps, Lt General DP Pandey on Friday claimed that the infiltration attempts from the other side of the border into Jammu and Kashmir have gone down this year, adding that terror groups are trying to recruit young children aged 15-16 years.

    “The infiltration attempts are not serious as of now. The numbers have gone down this year. We are vigilant and totally prepared to ensure that no one is able to sneak in,” said Pandey while talking to ANI.

    Pandey also claimed that the violence has also reduced in the Union Territory this year, adding that terrorists are finding it hard to recruit people into the ranks of terrorists.

    Terror groups are finding it hard to recruit well-educated youth between 22-25 years of age. So now they are turning to young children aged 15-16 years old to join the ranks of terrorists. I am sure that these parameters are going in a direction which will ensure a better and safe environment for the people of Kashmir,” he added.

    Regarding the Army’s activities to strengthen its relationship with the common citizens, Pandey said that the Army’s relations with the people are already pretty good and it is reflected in how they are allowed to carry out their operations.

    “We are engaging at various levels with the civil population. We are looking for support from civil society to end this cycle of violence,” he added.

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that around 86 local terrorists are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir.

    Notably, Vijay Kumar on Thursday said that the number of active terrorists in the valley has come down to less than 200 while the number of active local terrorists have reduced to less than 100, for the first time in history.

    “We have been able to breach the mark of 200 terrorists in Kashmir, as it has come down to 180. For the first time in history, local terrorists have reduced to less than 100. The count is 85-86 after yesterday’s encounter. So, terrorism is reducing,” said IGP Kashmir said while addressing a joint press conference on the two encounters in Kulgam and Anantnag district.

    He further said that out of 128 local militants who joined militancy this year, 73 were killed while 17 were arrested.

    The encounter which broke out on Wednesday evening in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag and Kulgam districts, ended this morning with the killing of six JeM terrorists including two Pakistani nationals and an army soldier. 

  • Four soldiers injured as Indian Army foils infiltration bid along LoC in J&K’s Baramulla

    By PTI

    SRINAGAR: Four soldiers were injured as the Army foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla district, officials said on Monday.

    The Army launched a counter-infiltration operation along the LoC in the Uri sector in north Kashmir on Saturday after noticing suspicious movement, they said.

    “Four soldiers were injured in the exchange of firing with infiltrators from across the LoC in Uri,” the officials said.

    The infiltrators were challenged by the Indian Army soldiers, leading to a gunfight, they said.

    The officials said four soldiers were injured in the exchange of firing between the two sides over the past two days There were unconfirmed reports of one infiltrator being killed in the operation, but there was no official word on it so far.

  • Stringent measures being taken to check cross-border infiltration by terrorists: Jitendra Singh 

    By PTI

    JAMMU: Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said stringent measures are being taken to check cross-border infiltration by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir and though it has been controlled to a large extent, it may not have stopped completely.

    Addressing an event here, the minister of state for personnel said even though effective border fencing is in place and thermal detection is also carried out, security forces have come across underground tunnels used by infiltrators coming from across the border.

    Singh said security forces are performing their duty with utmost sincerity and diligence, but it is also the responsibility of the local population to cooperate in detection and checking of these underground routes.

    “Stringent measures are being taken to check border infiltration by terrorists, which has been brought under control to a large extent but may not have stopped completely,” he said.

    Referring to the construction of family bunkers for the safety of people living along the Line of Control (LoC), modern household toilets in border areas and roads along the International Border, Singh said for the first time since independence, several sensitive decisions have been taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the people living along the border.

    He said those who say nothing has been done by the Modi government must visit the family bunkers before arriving at conclusions while sitting in their drawing rooms.

    Barely 10 to 12 km from the venue of this function, family bunkers with all amenities, almost equivalent to a one-room residential flat, have been constructed for long stay and shelter in the event of border firing.

    Singh said the real question is why the previous governments did not address people’s long-pending demand for bunkers.

    The minister also attended a function at Reasi that was organised by Saksham, a social organisation working for disabled people. Singh said the Modi government’s approach is to ensure empowerment of the weaker sections of society and that they get appropriate respect.

    For this, he said, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has taken several important decisions in recent times like increasing the reservation quota in jobs for ‘Divyangs’ including acid attack victims.