Terror camps in PoK shut down fearing retaliation from India
In the past few months, Pakistan has shut down terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) near the LoC, fearing retaliation from India after the Indian Air Force's Balakot airstrike. The country closed down terrorist camps operating on its soil due to pressure from the international community even as the Indian forces continued exerting pressure on terror groups in PoK, said reports. Here's more.
Pakistan reportedly cracked down on terror camps after India mounted pressure on its neighbor through the international community by sharing evidence on global platforms about the existence of Pakistan Army-backed terror camps in PoK. There were as many as 11 such terror camps operating in PoK, including five each in Muzaffarabad and Kotli one in Barnala, according to the information provided by India.
According to reports, terror camps that have been "temporarily shut down" now belong to terror outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Meanwhile, terror launchpads near the LoC used by terrorists to infiltrate into India are also now inactive. Notably, no attempts have been made from PoK to infiltrate into the Indian territory after the Balakot airstrike.
Among the terror camps that have now been shut down by Pakistan, some were being operated by Lashkar-e-Taiba in Kotli and Nikial areas. Camps run by Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pala and Bagh areas and one operated by Hizbul Mujahideen in Kotli have also been shut down. Meanwhile, some more terror camps near Muzaffarabad and Mirpur were also closed down, said intelligence reports.
Indian agencies have reportedly learned, through intelligence and technical surveillance, that instructions were given in PoK to either retreat or close terror facilities completely "for the time being." This had been done in the past two months, said sources.
Meanwhile, Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat said that there was no way to verify that Pakistan has shut terror camps in PoK. He said, "There is no way to verify whether the Pakistan Army has closed the terrorist camps there (in PoK) or not. We will not take chances and continue to maintain a strict vigil along our borders."
Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on reports about Islamabad shutting down terror camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK): No way to verify whether Pakistan has closed down terrorist camps or not. We will continue to maintain strict vigil along our borders. (File pic) pic.twitter.com/cbUC8Tzhrl
— ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2019
