Shortage Of Arms In Kashmir Forcing Terrorists To Loot Weapons: Northern Army Chief

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Friday said that terrorists in Kashmir are facing a shortage of arms which is why they try to snatch or loot weapons from SPOs and police stations. Singh said that Pakistan is in a fix over the situation and trying hard to find different ways to supply weapons to terrorists. "Terrorists are facing a shortage of weapons in Kashmir. So they try to snatch weapons from Special Police Officers (SPO) or loot them from police stations," news agency quoted the Army commander as saying.

When asked about the reports of militants from Afghanistan crossing over to Indian side of Kashmir, Singh said that they have not been corroborated but even if some terrorists manage to infiltrate, they will be gunned down.

“Army’s counter-infiltration grid is very strong and the force is alert to foil any such attempts. If at all any infiltrators manage to cross over, they will be eliminated,” he said.

Responding to a question about the terrorists training camps and launch pads along the Line of Control (LoC), Singh said, “We are able to thwart the infiltration bids at the LoC itself. It is a multi-tier grid. If they (militants) pass through the first tier, they will get caught up in second tier or may be in the following ones.”

Speaking about surgical strikes, the Army commander said they remain an option. “It (the option of surgical strikes) is available to the Indian armed forces,” he said.

“Which option has to be exercised when will depend on the situation and the manner in which the Army would like to surprise. The Army is fully prepared to take on any challenge depending on the conditions and the opportunities,” Singh added.

(With PTI Inputs)

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