`Solution to infiltration problem lies with Pakistan`

Noting that infiltration attempts by militants from Pakistan will continue, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor Tuesday said the solution to the problem lies with the neighbour as it was helping them to sneak into Indian territory.

New Delhi: Noting that infiltration attempts by militants from Pakistan will continue, Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor Tuesday said the solution to the problem lies with
the neighbour as it was helping them to sneak into Indian territory.

"The solution to this problem lies with our neighbouring country as they provide support to these terrorists for infiltration," he told reporters here after handing over the charge of Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee to Air Chief Marshal PV Naik here ahead of his retirement tomorrow.

Kapoor was asked if there was any solution to the problem of terrorists infiltrating from Pakistan into India.

He said the militants would continue to infiltrate in future also as they had the support of the "organisation on the other side."

The Army Chief ruled out taking any action against terrorists before they entered Indian territory and said, "We can`t take action against them till the time they cross over
to our side."

Commenting on the recent bid by militants to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir, Kapoor said, "when they tried to infiltrate, we detected them. After detection, we engaged them
and after that eight militants were killed and the remaining went back to the other side of the Line of Control as our troops were alert."

Eight militants were killed by security forces during an encounter along the LoC in Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir last week.
Asked if India was upgrading its military infrastructure and presence in the Northeast to prepare for a future conflict with China, he said, "you would be wrong if you talk about the possible conflict between the two countries. It is not like that at all. It is a matter of trying to develop our capabilities to meet our challenges."

Kapoor said the armed forces will continue to upgrade their preparedness to meet any challenge to the country`s sovereignty.
On whether the armed forces should have a Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), he said, "That is a decision of the Government of India. They will have to do it with due consideration and deliberation."

PTI

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