New Delhi fears open border will lead to infiltration by Islamic militants from Pakistan
New Delhi (AsiaNews/SCMP) Indian military sources fear proposals to open the disputed Kashmir border to aid earthquake relief could result in infiltration by Pakistani militants.
Pakistan has called for India to open five crossing points along the Line of Control to ease relief work on either side. India has responded by setting up three camps on the Indian side for use by Pakistani victims
"Since October 8, armed militants have made at least five attempts to cross over," said K. Srinivasan, an intelligence officer of India's Border Security Force. "We foiled all attempts and killed 29 of them. We are convinced hundreds of Islamic militants are desperately waiting to infiltrate."
After the earthquake struck, the United Jihad Councilan umbrella organisation of militant groups based in Pakistani Kashmirannounced a temporary suspension of armed operations. But according to Mr Srinivasan, not all militants paid heed.
"We lost some of our bunkers close to the Line of Control in the quake. [The militants] may have thought that it was the best time to infiltrate and launch operations," a senior army official in Delhi said. "Opening up the Line of Control is a very good idea in principle. But how we are going to implement it is the big question now."
"Twenty-five of the 2,500 people from Pakistan who had been given visas to watch the recent cricket tests in India vanished and have not returned to their country," another army officer said.
"What is the guarantee that people will come in from across the border and return this time?" he added.
Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has also expressed doubts about the border proposals, saying "while it was morally correct it was a great security risk".
.png)
14/10/2005
