Kupwara, Dec 21: North Kashmir’s Kupwara district witnessed the killing of 28 terrorists this year along the Line of Control (LoC) in various joint counter-infiltration operations, leading to the recovery of warlike stores, narcotics, illegal currency and other electronic gadgets.
The district shares its boundaries with neighbouring countries and in the last three decades has witnessed intense ceasefire violations, border shelling and gunfire, which has led to losses of property and human lives as well.
In much relief for the border residents, the armies of India and Pakistan on February 25, 2021, agreed to adhere to a ceasefire pact, following which the situation witnessed significant improvement compared to the previous many years.
Border areas like Machil, Keran and Karnah sectors are prone to both ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts.
Details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) reveal that in 10 infiltration attempts made in the first eight months of this year, a total of 28 infiltrators were killed along the Line of Control (LoC) in various joint counter-infiltration operations which led to the recovery of the warlike store, illegal currency and many other gadgets used by slain terrorists.
Figures reveal that in 10 major infiltration bids, a total of 28 infiltrators were killed in the first 8 months of this year. These joint operations took place at border areas like Jumagund (Keran sector), Machil and Karnah sector.
One of the major bids foiled this year was on June 23 in which four heavily armed terrorists were killed. During the extensive searches following the successful operation, a total of 55 packets of narcotics of very high market value were recovered from their possession. Nine AK series rifles, 14 magazines and four hand grenades were also recovered.
Similarly, on June 16 and October 28, 10 terrorists were killed at the Machil sector and Jumagund Keran sector with 5 each in both joint operations, leading to the recovery of arms, ammunition and other incriminating materials from possession of killed infiltrators.
Details reveal that a total of 28 terrorists were killed in separate operations, and infiltration attempts were foiled. However, the district has also witnessed a significant improvement in the overall border situation.
In the subsequent years before the renewed ceasefire, the border situation wasn’t favourable for normal activities, given the increasing infiltration and ceasefire violation graph.
The number of incidents of ceasefire violation/cross-border firing in Jammu and Kashmir was 2140 in 2018, followed by 3479 in 2019. The figure for ceasefire violations in the year 2020 was a record number of 5133 instances. Following the renewed ceasefire pact, the number of instances remained at 664 until June 2021.
BORDER RESIDENTS HAIL CEASEFIRE PACT:
Residents in the border areas have expressed satisfaction and happiness over the renewed ceasefire pact, saying they seem to be “living in a new world”.
Speaking to KNO, Ghulam Mustafa Magray, a resident of Dhani in the Karnah sector, praised the government and security grid, saying there is a lot of change visible on the ground. “During my tenure as an employee, I was posted at various places along the LoC. I’m well aware of the situation. Following my retirement, I also served as an elected public representative.”
He said since the renewed ceasefire pact, people have lived very happily and undertaken normal activities which weren’t possible two years ago. “Agricultural activities, regular schooling, developmental works and all other required efforts have been initiated,” he said while hoping for this ceasefire pact to remain forever.
Habibulah, a resident of the Machil sector, echoed similar views, saying that people are living “happily ever before”. “Everyone is very satisfied with the ceasefire pact. Now, people live without any scare unlike before February 2021. The situation has improved enabling us to undertake any outdoor work,” he said.
Habibullah said every border resident wants this pact to remain intact forever so that they can lead a normal life.
A security official said although there have been regular infiltration attempts which were timely countered. “Joint forces remain vigilant along the LoC, countering actions through synergy, human vigilance and technological measures, including the Anti Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS),” he said, adding that these efforts contribute to maintaining peace in the region—(KNO)
