Poonch: Jammu and Kashmir have around 300 active terrorists, said a top commander in the Indian Army. He added that 160 others are waiting on the launch pads for an opportunity to sneak into India from Pakistan.
"Around 300 terrorists are present in length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir but we are making sure they are not able to carry out any action. As per our data, 82 Pakistani terrorists and 53 local terrorists are active in the hinterland, while the area of concern is the criminal activities of 170 others who are not identified," he added.
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi told PTI that the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has gone through a major change after the abrogation of Article 370. He added that terrorist activities in the region are now controlled to a large extent.
"All the trend lines which were there, are coming down (post abrogation of Article 370), to the extent, and today peace and development have taken the central stage and there is a great space to meet the people's aspirations. The civil administration is doing a great job in occupying that space and making sure that terrorism is put on a back seat," said the Army official.
"The people from outside, the neighbouring country, are adopting other means like smuggling pistols, grenades, and drugs to carry out minor actions -- targeting innocent and unarmed persons who have come here to earn their livelihood and support the Kashmiris," said the Lieutenant General.
He was speaking to the media on the platinum jubilee of the historic 'Poonch Link-up Day'. It marks 'Operation Easy' conducted by the Indian Army in 1948 to defend the border district from Pakistani raiders.
When asked about Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's recent statement hinting at retrieving Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Dwivedi said it is nothing new because a parliamentary resolution exists on the subject. He further said the Indian Army will carry out any order given by the government.