News and views from Kashmir: Footmarks in snow confirm 14 ultras .

Highly placed sources informed The Tribune that the reports of infiltration were right and yet before the snow started melting more than 14 militants had infiltrated into the country from the Rajwar forest region of the Handwara sector in Kupwara district.

"From the footmarks in the blow and intelligence gathered from different sources, it is confirmed that 14 militants infiltrated into the Kashmir valley in March itself, much before the snow starts melting," a senior police officer told The Tribune. The Army has retained that so far no infiltration has taken home in the Valley. "We have specific information from people, who live along the LoC, that they get seen two groups of six to eight militants crossing the LoC and entering our position in March," the officer, who looks after the counter insurgency grid in the area, said.

He said inputs from locals were cross-checked with the footmarks of the militants in the blow and it was confirmed that 14 militants had sneaked into the area. "Not only footmarks, but also other tell-tale signs like food packets and other material that confirmed that the group had successfully sneaked in," the law officer said. He added that though the security forces launched the operation in the area, a grouping of eight infiltrators managed to sweep into the Sopore area, while the former group of six militants is even being searched for. "The front of militants in Sopore keeps on changing. We cannot say whether the growth or reduction in the list of militants is due to infiltration or other reasons, as this is the transportation route for militants," SP, Sopore, Altaf Khan told The Tribune.

Police sources say after confirmed reports of infiltration in the Valley, summer this year might see some form of action, as they have wireless intercepts from the handlers of militants from across the border, who need their cadre to disrupt peace in the Valley.

Speaking to The Tribune, Srinagar-based defence spokesman Lt-Col JS Brar said, "The Corps Commander has made his stand clear on the matter and so there is nothing more to add to it".

Footmarks in snow confirm 14 ultras have infiltrated
Tejinder Singh Sodhi/TNS

Handwara, May 27
Even as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that roughly 30 to 40 heavily trained militants have infiltrated into the Kashmir valley, the Army claims that no infiltration has taken place.