Infiltration may go up in J&K, warns defence minister

Hussainiwala, May 13: Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday warned the country to gear up for more infiltration bids in Jammju and Kashmir from across the border.
"There will be stepped up infiltration attempts in the run up to the crucial elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly," Antony said as he emphasized on security forces to maintain the highest level of vigil on the borders.  Undertaking a tour of forward areas on the international border with Pakistan in the Punjab sector, the Defence Minister said, "Don't expect any let-up."  "We have to be on our guard in the coming summer months as the melting of snows will make infiltration more easier," he said, while ruling out any fresh infusion of forces in the election-bound state.  His remarks assume significance as according to reports Army has withdrawn some forces from the state for deployment in their erstwhile locations on the Sino-Indian border.  Talking tough on dealing with militancy, the Defence Minister told reporters that the renewed large-scale infiltration campaign was apparently aimed at disrupting the election process.  Referring to recent encounters with the militants close to international border in Jammu and Kashmir, Antony said the pattern was not new.  He said in the past also militants had made moves to attack security and civilian installations close to the highway linking Jammu and Kashmir with other parts of India.