Official sources, quoting intelligence reports, said on Wednesday that a large number of militants, mostly from Pakistan, Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), Afghanistan and other Muslim countries were waiting for an opportunity to sneak into this side.

Most of the routes for infiltrators are still closed due to snow, but as soon as the snow starts melting on higher reaches, militants will definitely try to cross into this side, the sources said.

They said it was impossible to plug all the infiltration. However, compared to previous years, last year saw very low infiltration because of tight security arrangements all along the border, he added.

According to sources, every third of the 115 militants killed by Border Security Force (BSF) and Jammu and Kashmir policeSpecial Operation Group (SOG) during 1998 in border districts of Baramulla and Kupwara was a foreigner.

The sources said security forces killed large number of infiltrators last year. About 100 youths who were being forcibly taken across the border for arms training, were also rescued by the forces and handed over to their parents.

According to Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF) northern frontier A S Mangat security forces were on the alert to thwart any infiltration attempt by militants.

The situation has improved and people are now openly giving information to the forces about the hideouts of the militants.

Mangat said the BSF killed 60 militants and apprehended 70 others last year. Ten other militants surrendered along with their arms and ammunition.

The BSF lost 29 of their jawans, while 59 were injured in action during the same period.

He said forces also recovered 146 AK rifles, 19 universal machine guns, 37 pistols, 21 rocket launchers, two anti-aircraft guns, 68 kg ofexplosives, 623 grenades, ten missiles, 212 mines and bombs during the year long operation in Baramulla and Kupwara.