LAC situation sensitive, may escalate: Bhamre

Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre has cautioned that there is a possibility of escalation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.

"The situation on the line of actual control is very sensitive," Bhamre said, adding, "Incidence of patrolling, transgression and stand-offs have a potential for escalation."

"While confidence-building measures are being enhanced, we shall continue to take all actions as deemed necessary to ensure the sanctity of Line of Actual Control," he continued.

Elaborating on it, he said that there were so many things going on along all the borders and one of the things might trigger an escalation.

"We live in a very difficult neighbourhood which has myriad security challenges. Ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the Line of Control (LoC) is not helping matters. Both the army and civilians continue to suffer casualties," Bhamre said.

"The situation in the Jammu and Kashmir hinterland continues to remain a challenge. However, focused operations by our security forces resulted in neutralisation of a number of terrorists," he continued.

Further, Bhamre called the rise of religious fundamentalism and its spread, especially through social media, in Jammu and Kashmir a "major concern."

"Perpetrators of proxy war continue to make attempts to strike at our operating bases, our personnel & their families, as we saw recently in the attack at Sunjuwan in Jammu," he noted.