Question : JAMMERS IN BORDER AREAS INEFFECTIVE

(a) whether it is a fact that the inspite of the claims of the BSNL and security agencies, the Jammers on the Indo-Pak international border and Line of Control have been effective as reported in The Hindu dated November 16,2003;

(b) if so, the details of facts and the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the activities of militants along the LoC/Border have increased due to Pakistani`s cellular services;

(d) if so, the details in this regard; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to check the activities of militants along LoC/Border?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI I.D.SWAMI )

(a): Jammers have not been installed along International Border/Line of Control to block Cellular signals from across the border.

(b): Does not arise.

(c) & (d): Available inputs and evidence indicates that there has been no discernable increase in activities of terrorists due to Pakistan`s Cellular Services so far. However in some cases use of Pak Cellular Network by terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir has been noticed by the security agencies through indirect evidence that corroborates the possibility that terrorists are using Pak based Cellular Network during infiltration.

(e): The Government, jointly with the State Government, has adopted a multi-pronged approach, to contain cross border terrorism perpetrated by the pro Pak terrorist outfits/Pak ISI in Jammu & Kashmir, which includes, inter-alia, strengthening border management and multi-tiered and multi-model deployment along with International Border/LoC and near the ever changing infiltration routes to check infiltration, as well as pro-active action against terrorists within J&K, including operations in remote, hilly and forested pockets; protective measures for remote, scattered and minority populations, public buildings, religious shrines and vital installations; gearing up intelligence machinery; greater functional integration through an institutional framework of Operation Groups and Intelligence Groups of the UHQ at various levels, improved technology, weapons and equipment for security forces, and action as per law against over-ground supporters of the terrorists.

The strategies, tactics and dynamic security forces deployment to counter the terrorists are constantly reviewed refined and monitored at various levels in the State Government (including in the 2 Unified Headquarters headed by the Chief Minister J&K) and in the Central Government.

In addition to directly taking on the terrorist groups and being open to dialogue with various sections of people within J&K, Government conjointly with the State Government is taking steps aimed at economic development, provision of social services and creation of employment opportunities so as to reduce dissatisfaction levels amongst the people of the State.