Question : INCREASE IN INFILTRATION FROM ACROSS THE BORDER

(a) whether there has been an increase in the number of incidents of infiltration from across the border during the last six months;

(b) if so, the number of such incidents during the said period;

(c) the number of infiltrators killed and arrested during the above period;

(d) whether some heavily armed terrorists have occupied positions in the hilly areas of Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir;

(e) if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the details of measures being taken by the Government to check infiltration from across the order alongwith the implementation status of the recommendations made by the Review Committee in this regard?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE(SHRI A.K. ANTONY)

(a) & (b): In Jammu & Kashmir (J&K),as against 419 infiltrators during the period April-September,2007,there were 243 infiltrators during the period April-September,2008.

(c) 193 terrorists have been killed and 157 terrorists arrested in J&K during the period April-September,2008.

(d) No,Sir.

(e) Does not arise.

(f) In J&K,the overall counter infiltration strategy of the Army envisages a multi-tiered arrangement,including a forward tier of troop deployment,deployment of state of art surveillance devices,the Line of Control (LC) fence and a second tier deployment in conjunction with the fence. There exists a close coordination of the Security Forces, with the State Govt. and local Police and a high degree of synergy has been achieved through cooperation of all agencies,both for operational and intelligence functions.The efficacy of this strategy has been well established in curbing the infiltration levels of terrorists over the years. The trends of infiltration are being constantly monitored at various levels and requisite actions are initiated to minimize infiltration.