IG Ashok Yadav said Pakistan moved several launch pads deeper inside its territory after Indian air and artillery strikes conducted between May 7 and May 10, when Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist sites in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians
Around 120 terrorists positioned on 69 launch pads along the Line of Control are under close monitoring, and the next phase of Operation Sindoor will be activated without hesitation if Pakistan attempts any “misadventure,” BSF Kashmir frontier IG Ashok Yadav said Monday.
Speaking at the border force’s annual briefing, Yadav said Pakistan moved several launch pads deeper inside its territory after Indian air and artillery strikes conducted between May 7 and May 10, when Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist sites in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.
“We caused heavy damage during Op Sindoor. Some launch pads were moved from forward areas so they remain out of firing range of the Indian Army and BSF,” Yadav said, adding that even after relocation, these sites remain under surveillance. “Whenever there is any misadventure from Pakistan, we are ready to give a befitting reply.”
During the May offensive, he said BSF units and Army formations carried out “heavy and accurate” fire assaults on Pakistani posts and launch pads. “Our units, including artillery regiments, inflicted huge casualties on Pakistani troops, damaged forward posts and destroyed several terrorist pads along the LoC.”
When asked why the 69 launch pads were not struck earlier, he explained that although the sites had been tracked for some time, their distance and the terrain made it difficult to successfully target every pad from available firing positions.
Yadav reported a sharp drop in infiltration attempts. Four attempts were recorded this year in the Kashmir frontier, two before and two after Operation Sindoor, involving 13 infiltrators. “Eight were eliminated by the Army, five retreated,” he said. While overall infiltration patterns have remained consistent, he noted the emergence of new routes. “We receive inputs on new routes and cover them with the Army,” he added.
Within the Kashmir Valley, BSF has 13 companies working alongside the Army and police. Yadav flagged “silent recruitment” of terrorists and said the force is focusing on institutions functioning as “radicalisation centres.” Alerts are passed to agencies responsible for the hinterland, he said, adding that “complete synergy” exists among security forces.
Following the Pahalgam attack, specialised BSF teams were deployed in the Gulmarg bowl to reinforce tourist security. “Our teams are operating professionally and effectively,” Yadav said.
Despite harsh terrain, snowbound stretches, threats of sneaky strikes by Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT), sniping, ceasefire violations and fidayeen attacks, BSF personnel continue LoC duties with “full zeal and devotion,” he added.
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