Army prepared to counter infiltration in Kashmir

The year 2014 is a "challenging" one as US troops would leave Afghanistan this year but the Indian Army is already mapping out a strategy and planning to counter any infiltration bid during the year, top army officials said Wednesday.

Although 2013 was largely peaceful in Jammu and Kashmir, there were a large number of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops and many infiltration attempts were made last year, Lt. Gen. Sanjiv Chachra, general officer commanding-in-chief (GOC-in-C) of the army's northern command, said at a press conference on the 66th Army Day here.

"Pakistan border action teams (BAT) planned many attacks on our troops during 2013, but we foiled most of those attempts," the GOC-in-C said.

The northern army commander said every time there was an incursion, "we make them feel the futility of such an action".

He said the Indian Army had faced two-three major Pakistan-backed BAT actions in 2013 but had effectively responded, although not in the manner the Pakistanis did.

"In 2013, Pakistan's BAT planned attacks on Indian troops but we foiled most of those attempts," the army commander added.

He said terror camps were still active across the border.

"They have the infrastructure and capability to disturb peace in the state. 2014 is a challenging year as American troops are leaving Afghanistan but the Indian Army is already making a strategy and planning to counter any infiltration during the year," he said.

On media reports about Chinese incursions in Ladakh region, the army commander said: "All things on the border with China in the state are normal.

"In case of any issue, we have a border mechanism in place to resolve such issues. Right now our focus is on infrastructure building to make our position more strong."