Militant outfits regrouping in PoK to sneak into India: Local political leaders

LONDON - Putting a stamp on India’s stand that there several terror training camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) along the Line of Control (LoC) exist, local PoK political leaders and residents have said that extremists are ‘regrouping’ in the region and trying to cross over.

Arif Shahid, Secretary General of the All Parties National Alliance (APNA) told the BBC that “Jihadi” activities have recommenced on the Pakistani side of the LoC.

“Most of the activities are concentrated in the Neelum Valley along the LoC,” added Shahid, who personally had visited the region and confirmed that militants are present in the region in large numbers and have set up several terror training camps there.

“The men are not locals - they have long hair and beards. Most do not speak the local language,” he said.

Shahid also pointed out that the sudden surge in militant activities might be aimed at sabotaging the renewed peace process between India and Pakistan.

“They have set up camps in the region and many are crossing the border. This is the start of another proxy war,” he said.

Shahid was backed by Kashmir National Liberation Front (JKNLF) chief Shaukat Maqbool Bhat, who said the militants are crossing into India on a regular basis.

“The fighters are there and they are regularly crossing into India,” BBC quoted Bhat, as saying Local residents also confirmed the presence of ‘foreign’ militants in the region and said they are on the look out to sneak into Indian territory.

“We are scared. The armed men are moving around the area and are trying to cross the border. We can make out from their appearances and languages they are not from any part of Kashmir,” a local said, while refusing to be named.

“The local people are very scared - they believe the militant crossings are going to restart artillery exchanges between the Pakistani and Indian armies,” Bhat added. (ANI)