SRINAGAR: : Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor, during a visit to Tanghdhar sector along the Line of Control, on Friday said infiltration from across the border was still on. “Yes, infiltration is there. But, it will be too early to say how many infiltrators have sneaked in to the Valley this year,” he said.

General Kapoor, however, said the Army was hopeful that infiltration this year would be less compared to previous years. “In 2006, around 343 infiltrators managed to sneak in to the Valley and in 2007, the number of infiltrators came down to 311,” he said. “I think, this year, the number will come down further.”

Gen Kapoor said the Army would provide a safe environment for conducting elections in the state. “We will not provide protection to any particular person or persons in the elections. But, we will ensure safe environment in the state so that people can exercise their franchise without any fear,” he said. The Army Chief also chaired a high-level operational meeting of formation and field commanders at 15 Corps headquarters in which security-related issues were discussed.