Jammu: Citing intelligence reports, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (June 29, 2004) said a large number of militants "are ready in launching pads" along the Indo-Pak border to infiltrate to India to keep the pot of militancy boiling in Jammu and Kashmir.

"A large number of militants are ready along the Indo-Pak border in launching pads across to enter into this side. This is our information based on intelligence reports," he told a news conference after making a whirlwind tour of forward areas and the site of a recent massacre in Poonch-Rajouri sector in the State.

"There has been no substantial increase in the infiltration from across the border and infiltration is down due to alertness of troops and border fencing," Mukherjee said.

"We will not allow them to infiltrate into this side as troops are vigilant and fencing is in place to foil their designs," Mukherjee, who was flanked by Army Chief Gen N C Vij said.

He described the Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan as "a step forward towards restoration of normalcy" in bilateral relations.