Militants in guise of Sikhs
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Sept 26 — Pakistan has started sending Punjabi Muslims in the guise of Sikhs to Jammu and Kashmir so that they have no problem in mingling with the local population. These militants are given not only arms training, but also taught the main features of Sikhism.

After completing their training, they are pushed into Jammu and Kashmir with the purpose of reviving insurgency in Punjab and promoting nexus between the Kashmiri and Punjabi militants.

Inspector-General of Police B.L. Vohra, told mediapersons here today that one such militant had been arrested by the BSF in Poonch. Preliminary reports indicated that more than 16 such "Sikh" militants were being pushed into the Jammu region.

Mr Vohra said the BSF sleuths had been warned against such militants.

He said the Pakistani agencies had selected several areas on the international border in Jammu sector for infiltration and smuggling of arms and narcotics.

This morning five Pakistani intruders were killed at S.M. post in Samba sector. The BSF had taken several measures for tackling infiltration and arms smuggling and during the past nine months, 22 militants were killed in Jammu sector.

Mr Vohra stated the BSF had started imparting arms training to members of the village defence committees who had been played pivotal role in repulsing the attacks of the militants. Wherever required, the BSF had equipped the VDC members with weapons and ammunition.

He said the BSF had identified 2,300 unemployed youth in the border villages and a proposal sent to the Centre and the state government to raise two battalions of the police and paramilitary forces so that these youths could get gainful employment.

Referring to the regular Pakistani firing on Indian villages and pickets, Mr Vohra said though the Field Commanders of the two sides had held a series of meetings in Jalandhar and Lahore where agreements had been signed to halt the firing, shelling by Pakistan continued.

"We have decided to retaliate whenever the Pakistani soldiers or Rangers open fire on our villages," Mr Vohra said.

The BSF had foiled a number of Pakistani plans to foment trouble in the border belt of Jammu. Mr Vohra also said the BSF was carrying out several development works in the border villages.