Pak trying to push militants from across border: Reports

■ ‘China providing winter clothing to Pak Army’

Intelligence agencies have cautioned security forces that Pakistan was trying to push militants from across the border even during the winter season.

According to intelligence reports, China was providing winter clothing and other heavy duty equipment to the Pak Army which in turn was giving the same to militant groups to facilitate their infiltration into India even during winter.

According to the intelligence report, “It was extremely surprising that militants were trying hard for infiltration during the winter season also. This is unusual since during the winter season due to the heavy snow it becomes very difficult to move through mountain passes. But it seems this time the militants are well equipped in terms of high altitude clothing, good quality equipment like glasses, and other snow gadgets which is suspected to have been provided by the Chinese Army to Pak security agencies.”

In view of the sustained operations launched by the Indian Army in the Kashmir Valley, militants are facing an acute shortage of both men and material. With more than 250 militants killed last year, terror outfits are in desperate need for further reinforcements.

Further, due to harsh winter and heavy snow, it becomes extremely difficult for security agencies to conduct patrolling in high altitude regions along the Indo-Pak border due to which more militants close to the border areas are trying to infiltrate into India.

“It is clear that China is now assisting and supporting both Pak Army and ISI by providing them resources in terms of arms, ammunition, and equipment which in turn are being supplied to the militants. But we are extremely cautious in the border areas and even our security personnel are well equipped to ensure that no one takes advantage of the harsh weather to infiltrate across the border,” a senior security official added.