Indian Army chief General MM Naravane on Saturday said that terrorists are finding out new ways to infiltrate into union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to “disrupt normal democratic processes”.

“With the ongoing situation on our western borders, terrorism continues to be a serious threat, and that is not abating in spite of all efforts made. Terrorists making desperate attempts to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir to disrupt normal democratic processes,” Gen Naravane said.

His remarks came at a time when Jammu and Kashmir is conducting its first polls after the abrogation of Article 370.

The first phase of maiden elections to the District Development Councils (DDC) on Saturday recorded nearly 52% voter turnout. Barring a small incident of stone pelting at Kulgam district, the polls were held peacefully.

Naravane also said that terrorists are finding new means to enter into India and due to the rising snow levels, they are finding it difficult to enter from the northern regions and are now attempting to enter into India from the southern regions of the western border.

“With the onset of winters, attempts are being made to infiltrate before the passes close and snow levels rise. It’s because of this that they have started moving southwards and are now attempting to infiltrate through lower regions including tunnels across the International Border,” he said.

In the last three months, security forces have detected two sophisticated tunnels in Jammu’s Samba sector. The first tunnel was discovered on August 29 and the second one was discovered by the Border Security Force (BSF) last week after four terrorists were killed at Ban Toll Plaza during a gun battle near Nagrota town of Jammu.

Source: The Geneva Daily

BDST: 1820 HRS, NOV 30, 2020
AP