New Delhi: With the fencing work along the line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir nearing completion and surveillance equipment in place, Army aims to check infiltration from across the border by 90 per cent in a bid to keep the ongoing talks with separatists on track.

"The onset of summer is a challenge to the armed forces to ensure that infiltration is kept at minimum to give a boost to ongoing talks between the Centre and separatists," the Army Chief Gen N C Vij said today (Apr 26, 2004).

Vij, quoting intelligence inputs, said that already the number of militants in Jammu and Kashmir had dwindled by half to nearly 1,800 and which has manifested in the fact that militants had been unable to disrupt the election process in an organised manner.

Speaking on the sidelines of a function to flag off the Indo-Nepalese Army expedition to the 7,872 metre high Saser Kangri peak in Eastern Karakorams, he said if the infiltration of militants, particularly Pakistani mercenaries, was checked, it would take the pressure off moderates from the infiltrators in Jammu and Kashmir.

On the infiltrations, Vij said militants were still making attempts to sneak across and cited the recent instances of two abortive bids from Uri and Tangdhar regions in Northern Kashmir.

"There have been stepped up radio contacts recently with militants in the valley asking for reinforcement and weapons," the Army chief said, adding that their commanders were telling them to try to sabotage the elections in a big way.