The recruitment of terrorists in 2020 was fairly in control, especially that compared to 2018, says the General officer in Command of the Chinar Corps in Kashmir, Lieutenant General BS Raju in an interview with news agency ANI. 

According to Lt Gen Raju, the present strength of terrorists in the Valley is lowest in the last decade and that Pakistan is instigating the youth from Kashmir valley into terrorism by various means.

He said, “Terrorists’ recruitment in 2020 was fairly in control, especially when compared to 2018. The present strength of terrorists in the Valley is 217 which is lowest in the last decade.”

Also read: Last 10 years were challenging time for Pakistan military: Army spokesman

He added, ” Pakistan remains the key instigator to push youth towards terrorism by various means. It has attracted many youths for studies. But along the way, a few have been indoctrinated. Some of them have trained and sent back through the Line of Control (LoC) as part of infiltrating columns as well as through the international border. Terrorists from Pakistan target our security forces and civilians within the Valley in crowded areas.”

As per LT Gen Raju’s inputs, India has been able to reduced infiltration by over 70% in comparison to last year and “on the LoC, we remain in full control and are prepared for all contingencies.”

Indian security forces on Wednesday,  discovered a tunnel built by Pakistani security officials. This is second such tunnel to be discovered since November, in the Kathua district near the Zero Line. The three-feet wide tunnel was constructed at a depth of 25 to 30 feet.

Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane had said on January 15 that 300 to 400 terrorists, who are present in terror training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, are waiting to sneak into India.