JAMMU, OCT 1: Reports about militants possessing 82 mm mortars and 107 mm calibre weapons capable of firing anti-tank shells appear to have caused a flutter among security forces in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.The security forces came to know about the smuggling in of mortars by militants from across the Line of Control (LoC) when latter, for the first time during the last nine years of turmoil in the State, lobbed 82 mm mortar shells on an Engineers unit of the Army adjoining their Div Headquarters in Rajouri last month. The militants fired 11 mortar shells, but no one was injured in the attack.Similarly, the troops recovered a 107 mm anti-tank shell along with other weapons after killing two militants at Jaranwali in Rajouri district last week. Sources said the recovery of an anti-tank shell gives enough indications about militants having smuggled in RCL (Recoil Less) Gun in the border district as well.However, various agencies among the security forcesappear to differ on the possession of an RCL gun by militants in Rajouri and Poonch districts. While officials of one security agency confirmed having received reports about the smuggling in a heavy calibre gun on wheels, others said such a weapon was of no use for militants in the hilly terrains of Rajouri and Poonch districts as it was not possible for them to escape along with such a huge weapon after an encounter.The induction of such high caliber weapons by Pak Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) among the militants operating in Rajouri and Poonch districts appear have come after the stepped up infiltration by foreign mercenaries, especially Afghans, from across the Line of Control for the last over an year. Substantiating, sources said the Army troops had earlier recovered weapons like flame throwers, anti-tank rocket launchers and even anti-tank missiles from militant hideouts in both the areas.These weapons could have been effectively used against Army convoys, VIP motorcades or low flying aircraftespecially helicopters. As a result, the security forces had changed the air-corridor, besides taking other necessary precautions in both the districts.However, what has been worrying the security forces, now, is the possibility of militants using these weapons, especially mortars, on civilian areas. They need not aim or come near the target, but have to only fire a mortar shell on that direction even from the other side of a hill, an Army official said.Referring to the last month's mortar shelling on Engineers Unit, he added that it were the Army personnel who escaped unhurt in the attack. However, the things would have been different in case of militants having attacked a civilian population.Referring to the militants preference for light and sophisticated weapons, officials said they appear to be in possession of a shoulder fire type of weapon capable for firing the seized anti-tank shell. Substantiating, they referred to the recent mortar shelling on the Engineers Unit, saying the mortar used bymilitants could be dismantled into three pieces after its use to make good their escape along with the weapon.However, all the security agencies were unanimous about the possession of a 107 mm caliber weapon capable of firing anti-tank shells. Such a weapon appears to have been recently brought in by militants from across the Line of Control, one of the agency officials said.
