Terror launch pads in PoK 'full', but our response hard & punishing: Lt Gen Dhillon

Terror launch ps in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir "are full", but Pakistan army's attempts to infiltrate terrorists under cover of ceasefire violations are being responded to in a "hard and punishing" manner, a senior army commander said. Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, who has been heing strategic command of Kashmir-based XV corps, is confident that Pakistan would t succeed in its attempts to push terrorists in Valley and disturb prevailing peace.

He said peace in Kashmir Valley has been "cemented by security forces in coordination with various stakeholders including opinion-makers and mentors of civil society". Lt Gen Dhillon, who will soon leave for a posting in army hequarters in Delhi, joined strategic command in February last year. His tenure began on a challenging te as within a week of him taking over, nation witnessed a gruesome terror attack on its security forces in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed when a suicide bomber targeted ir convoy in Pulwama on February 14.

t yet settled properly in his new role, Lt Gen Dhillon of Rajputana Rifles, began coordinating operations against perpetrators of ghastly attack as also monitoring developments along Line of Control where situation was getting tense by day. In a written reply to a question by PTI, Lt Gen Dhillon talked about history of Pakistan's proxy war and said neighbouring country has been consistently aiding and abetting infiltration in India for more than 30 years w.

"All terrorist camps and launch ps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are full. se terrorist cres are desperate to infiltrate with help of Pakistan army, who indulge in firing at our posts.

"Our befitting response to ceasefire violations has been swift, hard and punishing," Lt Gen Dhillon told PTI.

He said Army's main task is to keep terrorism at bay, both at LoC and in hinterland in "conjunction with Jammu and Kashmir police, paramilitary forces and intelligence ncies." While maintaining an effective domination along LoC, he said, conducting effective anti-terror operations "in a people-friendly manner" in inner areas has improved situation in Valley.

He said local business, tourism and education sectors are likely to benefit immensely from "operational successes, improving security situation and various government initiatives". On number of terrorists operating in Valley, Lt Gen Dhillon said, "We work on concepts and t numbers. And concept is constant attempts by Pakistan to infiltrate terrorists and war-like stores, to commit sensational terrorist activities."