New Delhi, August 4: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley while giving a reply to a question asked in Lok Sabha said that Pakistan has increased attempts to push terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir through the border but appropriate retaliation is given by Indian security forces and there is a high number of casualties on their side.
Defence Minister during question hour said that Pakistan has increased efforts of infiltration but appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations and other tactical incidents by Pak Army as required is carried out by Indian Army.
"There is a record high in the casualties on the other side," he said.
Minister Jaitley also said that the Indian Army has "domination and impact" along the western border and all effective steps have been taken to check infiltration from across the border.
Giving the information briefly, Minister Jaitley informed the house that there have been 285 incidents of ceasefire violation so far this year through the LoC compared to 228 such incidents in the entire 2016 along the LoC in which eight people had lost their lives. He also informed that 221 ceasefire violation taken place along the International Border which is guarded by both the Border Security Force and the Army. “Due to the heightened vigil of the security forces, many infiltration attempts have been foiled and infiltration has been down,” Jaitley added.
While replying to another question in Lok Sabha, Minister Jaitley said that all the forward posts are adequately strengthened to counter enemy fire. “Besides, there are well-established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to safeguard against enemy fire to minimize our own casualties," Jaitley added.
The Minister said the Indian Army has constructed an anti-infiltration obstacle system (AIOS) along the LoC and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, under its operational control. Explaining the new technologies used by Indian Army, Jaitley said, “Radars, sensors and thermal images along with surveillance have been set up on this fence to detect and intercept infiltration by terrorists.”
However, the AIOS is further strengthened by the deployment of troops and construction of defence works based on threat perception for an effective multi-tiered counter-infiltration grid. "Fortification of a border is a continuous process. Anti- infiltration steps like obstacle systems, technical gadgets have been installed by the Army and enough steps have been taken to check infiltration," he said.
Minister Jaitley further noted that the central government also regularly reviews the threat perception to secure the borders and protect national interests. "Appropriate measures are taken from time-to-time to maintain and upgrade the country's defence preparedness along the border to safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of India," Minister Jaitley said.
Further, the areas along the borders are kept under surveillance by regular patrolling by troops and other aerial, optronic and electronic means. He said the government is taking measures to ensure modernisation of Indian defence forces to keep them in a state of readiness to meet operational and security challenges.
Jaitley while replying to another question in Lok Sabha said the centre has enhanced special allowances are been given to security personnel serving in difficult areas like Siachen. He concluded informing the house saying recently the government has announced the special allowances for defence personnel which was more than what the 7th Pay Commission had recommended.
