21 infiltration routes along Indo-Pak border in J&K identified

"We have surveyed and identified 21 major infiltration routes along Indo-Pak border...This will help security agencies to pin down infiltrating militants...," a senior police officer said.

"These routes have been identified along the LoC and International Border in Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwarain districts," he said.

"The militants are taking advantage of thick woods, dry nallahs, riverine and zero populated areas to infiltrate from PoK to Jammu and Kashmir," the official said.

These infiltration routes include Pathri Gali, Sobra Gali, Fugwari belt, Bachoo belt -- in Poonch; Panjtali belt, Gagrian route -- in Jammu; Baber belt in Samba and Bain Nallah in Kathua, he said, adding that most of these routes have been put under three-tier security set-up by Army, police and VDC/border posts.

The official said there are 25 terrorist training camps-- 21 along LoC and four along IB -- in Pakistan where around 1,560-1,615 militants are undergoing training with support from the Special Operation Intelligence Unit of Pakistan army.

There are reports of presence of 300 militants in Goi-Kahuta-Chirat belt, 1,50,155 in Kotli-Sensa belt, 400 in Mirpur-Bindi, 260-265 in Samani-Kudiali-Garnum belt and 450 in Sailkote-Zafarwala belt, the officer said.

"Infiltration has increased during 2009. Gross infiltration was estimated at 342 in 2008, while it was 485 in 2009," he said.

As per official figures, the highest number of infiltration bids took place in 2003 when 1,373 militants had attempted to cross over to India, followed by 597 in 2005 and 537 in 2004.