Sunday, October 16 2005 19:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Militants may try to take of the quake relief operations along the Line of Control but the security forces were vigilant and alert to foil any such attempts, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said today (Oct 16, 2005).

"Militants have made about five infiltration attempts since the October 8 earthquake, including two on a single day. About 25-29 of them have been killed. Some of them wanted to take advantage of the disturbed situation but our forces were alert", he told reporters here on the sidelines of a defence seminar.

"We are alert. It should not pose any serious threat", Mukherjee said,

'Security forces deployed along the LoC were vigilant,' and their involvement in the relief and rescue operations were 'in addition to normal duty', he added.

The Minister was responding to questions on whether the engagement of the armed forces in the relief operations was helping the infiltrators.

He, however, said with several civilians involved in the relief and rescue operations along the LoC, 'there may be some attempts' by militants to infiltrate.

"They (civilians) may be used as cover. Some (militants) may try to take advantage of the situation. Alertness and vigilance will have to be maintained", he said.

Mukherjee said some high passes have already closed due to snowfall but the next 5-7 days were crucial after which infiltration would not be possible.

The Government has also received reports of militant capability being affected by the quake but they were yet to be fully confirmed, he said.