72 terror launchpads working in Pak since Op Sindoor: BSF

OP SINDOOR WAS BRILLIANT EXAMPLE OF CIVIL-MILITARY FUSION: RAJNATH

- Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

At least 72 terror launchpads have become operational across the border in Pakistan, including 12 near Sialkot and Zaffarwal, since Operation Sindoor, the Border Security Force (BSF) said on Saturday, adding the force was fully alert to maintain “zero” cross-border infiltration of terrorists in the Jammu region.

Addressing the annual press conference in Jammu, BSF deputy inspector general (DIG) Vikram Kunwar said the force had destroyed many terror launchpads across the border during Operation Sindoor — the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan from May 7-10. “After the BSF destroyed many terror launchpads along the border during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan government had decided to shift all such facilities to the depth areas. But old habits die hard,” the DIG said.

He added that 72 terror launchpads are currently operational across the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).

“As of today, about 12 launchpads are working from the depth areas of Sialkot and Zaffarwal, which are not exactly on the border. Whereas 60 launchpads are working in the depth areas across the LoC,” he added.

The DIG further said that the figures of these launchpads, as well as the terrorists present in them, keep changing. “They do not sit there permanently. These launchpads are generally active when terrorists have to be pushed (into India)... They are not kept in more than two or three groups,” Kunwar said while informing that there are no training camps in the areas close to the IB at present.