Srinagar, July 12: At least 15 terrorists are being
trained in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to target the 450
MW Baglihar power project in Jammu and Kashmir and a secret
tunnel is being dug from Sialkot to connect PoK with India`s
border state, two arrested LeT militants said on Sunday.
"At least 15 terrorists are being specially trained in
POK for an attack on Baghliar dam across Chenab at
Chanderkote-Ramban, 150 kms from here", Mohammad Shafakat and
Mohammad Adnan, the two Lashkar-e-Toiba miltants arrested
yesterday told reporters.
The two were arrested from the forests of Shamashabari
range in the frontier district of Kupwara, 120 kms from here.
Baghliar power project in Ramban district of Jammu and
Kashmir hit the headlines last year when Pakistan raised
objections to it claiming that it would obstruct flow of water
into that country as the size of the dam was above the normal
size.
However, the issue was resolved with international court
of arbitration asking India to decrease the height of the dam
by 1.5 meters.
The two ultras, both residents of Chinchawatni tehsil in
Sahiwal district of Punjab in Pakistan also said that a secret
tunnel was being dug from Sialkot to connect PoK with Jammu
and Kashmir which must have been completed by now.
"I have worked for at least ten days in the tunnel before
I crossed over to this side", Shafakat said, adding, "by now
it must have been completed".
Shafakat, one of the two arrested LeT terrorists, said
after completing their training in a militant camp near
Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK, they infiltrated through
Lipa valley with an aim to carry out attacks on the Indian
security forces.
"We were told that task would be given after linking up
with other LeT militants already in Kashmir", Shafakat said.
Under the Indus Water Treaty signed between India and
Pakistan in the 1960s, water of rivers of the state flow into
Pakistan without interruption and J and K is barred from
constructing dams to store water.
The duo said they joined militancy as they were told
that Kashmiri Muslims were not being allowed to practice their
religion.
However, after interacting with locals in the upper
reaches on their arrival, they realized that they had been
misguided by their mentors in Pakistan as all religious
activities were taking place freely in Jammu and Kashmir.
Both the terrorists said they had undergone three months`
training on handling of arms, ammunition and grenades.
"We were asked to carry out fidayeen (suicide) attacks on
Indian army camp should our mission fail", they said.
Army personnel who arrested the two ultras said two AK 47
rifles, a pistol with seven magazines, ammunition, grenades,
global positioning system, two radio sets, water bottles and
other material have been recovered from them.
Bureau Report
