Hafiz Saeed could be behind spike in infiltration: Shinde

Worried over the "increased infiltration" this year in Jammu and Kashmir, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Tuesday said Lashkar-e-Tayiba founder Hafiz Saeed could be training terrorists on the other side of Indo-Pak border for infiltration.

Shinde also rejected Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif's proposal for US intervention to resolve Kashmir issue, saying "Kashmir is ours" and that there is no question of any role for a third party.

He made these remarks while talking to reporters and in his address to BSF personnel in Samba after reviewing the security situation in Jammu region in the wake of escalation in ceasefire violations along the International Border and the Line of Control and rise in infiltration bids.

"As per our information it is possible that he must be giving training to terrorists on the other side of the border in various launching pads but unless that government(of Pakistan) hands him to us there is a problem," Shinde said.

The home minister was replying to a question whether Saeed, the chief of the Pakistan-based terror outfit LeT, was training militants and pushing them into J&K. He noted that a Red Corner notice has already been issued against Saeed.

136 ceasefire violations have been reported so far this year, the highest in the past eight years. Even on Monday, Pakistani Rangers opened fire at 10 border posts.

Flanked by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami and top officers of state, BSF and intelligence agencies, Shinde reviewed the security situation at Samba BSF headquarters

Shinde also conducted an aerial visit of IB and fenced areas besides surveying infiltration routes and damaged fenced areas and riverine border belts with Pakistan from Akhnoor in Jammu district to Pahadpur (in Kathua district).

"Looking at last year's record, we are not worried. This year, however, we are worried because of the increased infiltration. I have been discussing this with my officers about the reasons behind the infiltration," Shinde said while addressing BSF jawans of 68th battalion in Samba.

Shinde met troops and appreciated their morale. "We have come here to promise you that we stand by you, the country stands by you,"

He told the troops they must give bullet by bullet reply to Pakistan. "Yes", the jawans said in unison to a question by Shinde whether they are giving a strong reply.

Due to the surge in ceasefire violations, Shinde did not visit any forward posts, some of which have been targeted by Pakistani troops.

Image: LeT founder Hafiz Saeed