Pakistan shifts out terrorists from launch pads at LoC

SRINAGAR: Perhaps fearing surgical strikes, Pakistan has relocated terrorists at launch pads along the Line of Control to army camps that are usually in close proximity to such facilities.

With the Modi government stating that armed forces have been authorised to respond to the Jaish-e-Muhammed attack on the CRPF convoy, the Pakistan army seems to have taken some pre-emptive measures. Though there is tension on both sides, there is no artillery movement or any other deployment along the frontiers, top intelligence sources in Kashmir told TOI.

“As of today, we don’t have any targets to strike at across the Line of Control, where terrorists used to be ready to be launched to infiltrate into this side,” sources said. This could leave the Indian Army with the option of targeting Pakistan army installations and could mean possible escalation of the conflict, a senior official said.

Intelligence sources said the assessment that Pakistan was anticipating action- perhaps in response to terror attacks- was made by the fact that Pakistan did not vacate its winter posts along the frontiers this year. “At least 50 to 60 winter posts which would be vacated every year remain occupied as of now. With additional reinforcements from the terror launch pads, we don’t know what the strength of their posts is as of today,” sources said.