"A number of training camps and launching pads are reportedly active in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir/Pakistan. As per assessment, there are around 2,500 terrorists in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir/Pakistan," Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
The minister also said that 52 infiltration attempts along the Jammu and Kashmir border have taken place till June this year, while last year the number was 489, slightly higher than in 2009 (485).
"Infiltration attempts from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir have shown a marginal increase during the year 2009 and 2010 in comparison with the year 2008," he said.
On ceasefire violation along the Line of Control, he said the number of violations, which were 77 in 2008 came down to 28 in 2009 and it further increased to 44 in 2010. Nineteen ceasefire violations have been reported along LoC up to July this year, he said in a reply to another question. There were no reports of ceasefire violation along the Line of Actual Control in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
The Government of India has taken up the issue of ceasefire violations with Pakistan consistently. All such violations of ceasefire are also taken up with Pakistan military authorities at appropriate level through the established mechanism of hotline, flag meetings as well as weekly talks between the director general of military operations, the minister said.
"India has also consistently emphasised to Pakistan the need to implement its solemn commitment of January 6, 2004 that it would not permit any territory under its control to be used to support terrorism in any manner," Singh said.
While two infiltrators have been killed till June this year, the corresponding figure for 2010 was 112, for 2009 was 101 and 90 intruders were killed in 2008. The figures for arrested infiltrators stand at one (2010), nine (2009) and six in 2008.
"The government in tandem with the state government have adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross border infiltration in Jammu and Kashmir, which includes strengthening of border management and multi-tiered and multi-modal deployment along international border/Line of Control and infiltration routes," he said.
Construction of border fencing, improved technology, weapons and equipment for security forces, improved intelligence and operational coordination, synergising intelligence flow to check infiltration and pro-active action against the terrorists within the states, Singh said.
The counter infiltration efforts are reviewed periodically at various levels in the state government and in the central government. The government has adopted various counter-terrorist methods to neutralise the efforts and capabilities of militant to disturb peace in the state. The government has also encouraged policies to mainstream the youth and discourage the local youth from joining militancy, he said.
