Samba, October 22
Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde today said Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, against whom a red corner notice had been issued, could be training militants and visiting areas on the other side of the Line of Control (LoC) to facilitate their intrusion into the Indian Territory.

The Home Minister, however, asked security forces to initiate all possible measures to prevent further escalation of tension on the border.

“The information we have suggests that Hafiz Saeed might have been visiting areas close to the LoC to facilitate infiltration,” said Shinde after addressing a Sainik Sammelan of the BSF. “Unless he is handed over to us, he remains a problem,” said the Home Minister.

On Kashmir, he said New Delhi’s stand had been clear since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru. “Kashmir is an integral part of India and would remain so. No third-party mediation is required. If anything has to be decided, it has to be decided bilaterally,” he said. At the Unified Headquarters meeting at the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Shinde asked the Army and the BSF to prevent further escalation of tension on the 744-km LoC and 191.5-km International Border.

Regarding ceasefire violations, he said India would take up the matter at the DGMOs’ meet. “That’s why I am here. I conducted an aerial survey of the border and saw infiltration routes. Some infiltration has happened, but we are doing whatever is needed. Our jawans are more than prepared to face any challenge,” he said.

When reminded about Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s yesterday’s remarks that India couldn’t remain at the receiving end vis-à-vis truce violations, Shinde said, “Sometimes we have to compromise, but I agree with the CM that we cannot maintain that position all the time because when injustice is done, aggressive posture is needed. If they (Pakistan) take an uncompromising position, we will deal with them accordingly.”

“We can’t become tough only by talking tough. Actions are being taken whenever they break rules on the border and we have proved it,” he said.

On fresh migrations from forward villages, he said villagers were provided night shelter by the state government and the BSF whenever there was shelling by Pakistan.

When asked why there has been a sudden spurt in firing along the border, he said, “We don’t know at this stage, but we are finding out.”

When asked whether India should hold talks with Pakistan in the prevailing scenario, he said, “There should be cordial atmosphere to have talks. Let us see how we can do it.”