Lashker-e-Taiba is still active, says Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said here on Saturday that Pakistan based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba is still active.

New Delhi, Jan 9: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said here on Saturday that Pakistan based militant organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba is still active.

Referring to the last two incidents where security forces gunned down four suspected Islamic rebels in two different locations of Kashmir Valley Abdullah said LeT was involved in these incidents.

"The last two operations, both of them were actually Lashkar's operations the militants involved were Lashkar militants, the only difference is that because of international pressure particularly the US pressure about the whole Lashkar name because of pressure the Lashkar-e-Toiba doesn't take the credit for the operations they have carried out," Abdullah said.

Security forces gunned down four militants within last 48 hours.

Abdullah also said that Pakistan-based militant groups have stepped up efforts to sneak into Indian borders.

"This is the part of security forces operations of carrying out surgical strikes. Whenever, we get intelligence report about the presence of these people we will do it, we have never claimed that that Jammu and Kashmir is free from terrorists, infiltration continues and whenever those attempts will take place, we will thwart them," Abdullah said.

Meanwhile, a senior Indian army officer also shared Abdullah's view and said that militants were trying to infiltrate into the region across the Line of Control (LoC) before winter snow blocks the Himalayan Mountain passes.

"Infiltration attempts were there but all of them were foiled because the BSF (Border Security Force) and army have been alert and we have been able to foil all attempts," Major General Surinder Nag told media.

"These are, as I stated earlier, when winter passes in the north are closed the terrorists do come down to south because infiltration is easier in plain sectors...the pressure will increase but we are ready for it," he added.

ANI