23 attack bids foiled along LoC in Kashmir this year, claims BSF

The Border Security Force (BSF) said on Wednesday it has foiled 23 attacks, including two BAT actions by Pakistan, along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir Valley this year and is alert to deal with any untoward incident.

"BSF has foiled and faced 23 attacks of militants and Pakistan regulars on its posts and personnel along LoC in Kashmir during this year. The guys (BSF jawans) have done well, they have been doing their jobs with utmost dedication. "They (BSF jawans) have foiled many infiltration bids on the LoC and also foiled two BAT (Border Action Team of Pakistan) attempts and in one of the actions, three of our guys have been killed, but they foiled the action and killed one militant and recovered weapons," Vikas Chandra, Inspector General, BSF Kashmir Frontier, told reporters.

The frontier chief of the border guarding force said security at various installations of BSF has beefed up in the wake of Tuesday's terror attack in Nagrota.

"Security arrangements have been made. We are alert 24x7 to deal with any incident during these difficult times," he said.

Chandra said the paramilitary force, along with the Army, was responding to the ceasefire violations "appropriately". "Ceasefire violations have been taking place and we have responded appropriately to them. There were 32 ceasefire violations in 2016 along the LoC on this side. We have lost some men and some others have been injured as well, but that is part of the life, part of duty," he said.

Responding to a question on whether the ceasefire violations were just that or a cover for infiltration, the BSF officer said, "We can say it is combined." "They are infiltration bids as well and we have foiled many such incidents," he said.

Asked whether the attack on the LoC by Pakistan and mutilation of bodies of soldiers was a BAT action, Chandra said, "Generally BAT actions take place. It would have happened, that is why there has been such action." He said 14 battalions of BSF were deployed in Kashmir Valley.

"Over 14,000 personnel are deployed in the Valley both on the LoC and in the hinterland. We are working with army, guarding the LoC. In the last one year, nine BSF officers have sacrificed their lives and 18 others have been injured while guarding the LoC and also while working in the hinterland," he said.

On a question whether there was an increase in the militant attacks after India conducted surgical strikes, the BSF officer said, "I will not say it is an increase. It is a tactic they have been using earlier as well. On the LoC, we have to be careful and we are being careful. It is not that they have not been trying, they have been, but we have averted those on this side of the LoC."