Wednesday, December 7 2005 14:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The overall counter infiltration strategy of the Army has resulted in substantial drop in infiltration from across the border and the number of soldiers who laid down their lives have come down from 254 in 2002 to 132 till November this year, Defense Minister Pranab Mukherjee informed the Rajya Sabha today (Dec 7,2005).

Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour, he said a number of measures have been taken to counteract terrorist activities 'aided and abetted from the other side of the border' and other parts of the country.

"These included better surveillance, setting up of physical fence, improved intelligence, deployment of security forces at appropriate places in Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast," he said.

The Defense Minister said the current multi-pronged Counter Proxy War strategy adopted by the Army incorporated an integrated dynamic counter infiltration posture, relentless operations in the hinterland and winning the hearts and minds of the local populace.

He said efforts were being made to isolate terrorists from local people through 'Sadbhavna' programme and to enable misguided youth to come back to normal life.

"There is no lack of watch," he said and added even after the earthquake, attempts have been made by the terrorists to infiltrate but these were frustrated.

He said the Government thought there would be some respite after the earthquake but it was not so.

On reduction of troops from the border, the Minister said it would depend on the situation.