Security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed an improvement and the net infiltration from across the border has reduced by 43 per cent after a surgical strike was carried out in Pakistan, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Rai’s remarks came in response to a written question onwhether cross-border infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir has abated after theIndian Air Force carried out surgical strike in Balakot in Pakistan in Februarythis year.
“Due to concerted and synergised efforts of securityforces, the security situation in the state has witnessed an improvement in thefirst half of this year over the corresponding period of 2018. Net infiltrationhas reduced by 43 per cent,” he said.
The minister said the central government has adopted apolicy of zero tolerance towards cross-border infiltration.
Rai said the government of India in tandem with the state governmenthas adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross-border infiltration,which include multi-tiered deployment along the International Border and theLine of Control (LoC), border fencing, improved intelligence and operationalcoordination, equipping security forces with improved technological weapons andtaking pro-active action against infiltrators.
Replying to another question, the minister said the electricfence namely the Anti Infiltration Obstacle System (AIOS) on LoC along Indo-Pakborder has proved to be a potent tool to guard against infiltration.
The electricity requirements for the AIOS are being cateredthrough power grid wherever available and through generators at other locationsto ensure uninterrupted power supply, he said.