Srinagar, Jan 24: Inspector General (IG), Border Security Force (BSF) Kashmir Frontier Raja Babu Singh Monday said that intelligence inputs suggest that there are around 135 militants present on launch pads and are ready to infiltrate to this side.
He also stated that they have a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics and 17.3 kg heroin worth Rs 88 Crore were seized along LoC last year.
Addressing an annual presser at BSF headquarters in Humhama, Singh said fresh intelligence inputs suggest that there are 104 to 135 ‘terrorists’ present along the launch pads who are ready to infiltrate into this side.
“Apart from that, we have credible inputs that some guides have crossed LoC. We need to monitor them till they return. Their movement is being tracked and their families are being monitored and are under constant watch,” he said.
Singh said security agencies have the exact number of how many guides have crossed over LoC. The primary aim of these guides is to bring back ‘terrorists’ along with them. We have a constant watch over them,” he said.
The IGP BSF said as soon as he took over IG BSF Kashmir Frontier, he conducted several visits to LoC.
“A lot of strategies are being developed between Army and BSF so that more areas will be dominated, watched, and surveillance. The aim is to make it difficult for the enemy to infiltrate into this side,” he said.
“We are putting in all our efforts to monitor the situation so that zero infiltration happens,” Singh said.
Recently we have killed a terrorist along LoC on January2nd, Singh said, adding if they spot anyone crossing LoC he is challenged and killed.
Singh said in the hinterland security forces are also working in coordination and successful operations were done in the recent past. There is good synergy and alertness of forces in the Valley, he said.
“If anyone becomes terrorists or is on the list of security agencies, his shelf life is less than 6-8 weeks. It is a good sign,” he said.
Regarding drone threats, IG BSF said, “It is a real threat. Drones were also noticed in the last year.
“This year enough measures will be taken to counter the drone threat. We are also getting a number of drones to tackle the threat effectively,” he said.
About narcotics, IGP said last year 17.3 kg heroin worth Rs 88 Crore were seized on the LoC by BSF and all efforts are being made to foil bids aimed at transporting narcotics from LoC.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy against narcotics," he said.
Regarding the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan last year, Singh said, “It hasn’t affected J&K in any form so far. But security agencies are keeping an eye on the development.”