New Delhi: Some of the terrorist training camps in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) which were closed down after September 11 attacks in US have been reactivated and a significant number of terrorists are ready near the line of control (LoC) and International border (IB) for infiltration at short notice, Government told the Lok Sabha today (Dec 16, 2003).

Most of the makeshift training camps located in Pakistan near LoC and IB opposite Jammu and Kashmir are used as launching or base camps for operations in our side, Minister of State for Home Affairs I D Swami said in a written reply citing reports.

Swami said the reports also indicated that a significant number of terrorists of various outfits are present at these launching pads in Pakistan or PoK ready for infiltration at short notice.

Infiltration: At least 50 infiltration bids were foiled by security forces near LoC and IB portion of the Indo- Pakistan border in which 172 terrorists including 140 foreign mercenaries have been killed during year 2003 till November, Minister of State for Home Swami Chinmayanand said.

He said there were, however, no reports of skirmishes with infiltrators and neighbouring countries on Indo-China, Indo-Myanmar, Indo-Bhutan, Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bangladesh borders during the last one year.

VIP Security: Government has decided to augment the deployment of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Andhra Pradesh to deal with Left Wing extremism there following a request from the state Government after recent assassination bid on the Chief Minister, Swami said.

PTI