May 10 , 2019
Ever since India struck the terror camps at Balakot, infiltration bids that usually intensify during March and April have witnessed a steep fall. According to a report published by India Today, post-Balakot airstrikes, there are zero infiltration attempts from Pakistani based terror elements. The precision airstrikes have worked in favor of India as no terrorists have dared to intrude into India after Indian Air Force (IAF) obliterated JeM terror camp in Balakot.
Since Pulwama attack, a total of 31 Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists have been shot dead by security forces. Indian Air Force struck Balakot to avenge the deadly Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred. Besides, the top leadership of JeM has been eliminated, including Mudasir Khan, the mastermind behind the Pulwama attack. He was killed by the Armed Forces in an encounter in Tral. So far in 2019, the total number of terrorists killed in Kashmir stands at 75.
Besides, India’s successful diplomatic pursue and push helped enlist the founder of JeM and most-wanted terrorist, Masood Azhar in the United Nations Sanctions List of global terrorists.
The report points out that the first time since Pulwama attack, an official request to de-escalate border tension has also come through the diplomatic channel from Pakistan. The request of military de-escalation comes in the wake of increased border skirmishes after the attack on the CRPF convoy in Pulwama this year.
However, India has sent a stern message to Pakistan saying that de-escalation is possible only if Pakistan takes concrete action to stop terror outfits from mushrooming on its soil. As per a review assessment by the Indian Army, it was speculated that Pakistan will continue to pursue de-escalation through military and diplomatic channels to help control the border skirmishes.
“Pakistan will continue with proposals of de-escalation both through military and diplomatic channels,” the assessment said.
The report also acknowledged that Pakistan has taken steps to close terror infrastructure across the LoC, but added that the real situation would be clear once the snow melts in the higher reaches. “Pakistan is forced to maintain a high level of alertness and exercise restraint on LoC,” it read.
However, there seems to be no respite from the ceasefire violations, which have steadily increased. In 2019 itself, Pakistan has resorted to 982 violations so far.
Breakdown of violations in 2019 is as follows: January- 203 violations, February-215 violations, and March-267 violations. The month of May is comparatively peaceful with only 9 ceasefire violations reported till now.
As per the report, in 2018, 209 fresh recruits had joined various terror organizations while this year, this number stands at 17.
This report points to the success of the Balakot air strikes, an issue which was raised and questioned by the opposition in a bid to pin down Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Source : OpIndia
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