Inspector General (IG) BSF Kashmir Frontier, Ashok Yadav, on Monday said that the border force foiled all four infiltration bids of Pakistan-backed terrorists through the Line of Control (LoC) in the valley during the year.
Yadav told media persons in Budgam that two infiltration attempts were made before the Operation Sindoor and two after it.
He said 13 infiltrators were involved in these infiltrations, of whom eight were killed and five were pushed back in joint operations by the Army and BSF.
Yadav said that effective dominance along the LoC has contributed to the reduced number of infiltration attempts.
He said there has been no major change in the modus operandi of infiltration, except for the adoption of new routes. “The BSF’s intelligence setup has been generating regular inputs that are followed up jointly with the Army to counter infiltration attempts”.
BSF units are also deployed in North Kashmir in an anti-infiltration role in the districts of Baramulla and Handwara, and these BSF battalions have been effectively dominating their areas of responsibility and providing secure passage to the security force convoys as well as to the civilians.
“Despite facing numerous challenges of harsh weather, underdeveloped and inhospitable mountainous terrain, difficult living conditions and constant threats of BAT action, sniping, cease-fire violations and suicide attacks, valiant BSF officers and Jawans stand fearlessly to secure the LoC along with the Army with full zeal and devotion,” the IG said.
On the emergence of “white-collar” terror module involving educated youths without any prior record, the IG said the trend is causing concern and poses challenges in identification. “All security and intelligence agencies are working jointly to counter such networks and establish mechanisms to detect silent recruitment”.
He said BSF has 13 companies deployed in the hinterland to support the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Responding to a question on launching pads across the LoC, Yadav said intelligence inputs indicate that some launching pads have been shifted deeper to avoid being within the firing range of Indian security forces following the damage inflicted during Operation Sindoor.
He said narco-terrorism remains a major concern, with attempts to push narcotics through LoC sectors such as Tangdar, both for financing terrorism and for addiction-driven destabilisation.
Yadav said drones have been observed across the LoC but have largely been restricted to aerial reconnaissance and surveillance and have not crossed the border in recent months.
The BSF Kashmir Frontier was praised for its swift and accurate response under challenging terrain and heavy enemy fire, reinforcing its capability in high-altitude warfare, during Operation Sindoor, Yadav added.
The BSF provided security cover during the annual Amarnath Yatra and also deployed its Special Mountain Rescue Teams with components for Disaster Response and emergency medical response on the pedestrian routes, he said.