On Saturday, Chief of Army Staff Gen MM Naravane refused to rule out the possibility of Afghan-origin foreign terrorists infiltrating Jammu and Kashmir once conditions stabilize in Afghanistan, recalling instances when the Taliban ruled Kabul over two decades ago.

Meanwhile, he said that the Indian armed forces are well prepared for any eventuality because they have a very strong counter-infiltration grid, as well as a mechanism to check terrorist activities in the hinterland of Jammu and Kashmir.

General Naravane was asked if there was any connection between recent killings of civilians in Kashmir and the Taliban's taking over power in Afghanistan, he said it cannot be said whether there was a connection.

"Definitely, there has been a spurt in activities (in Jammu and Kashmir) but whether they can be directly linked to what is happening in or happened in Afghanistan, we really cannot say," the Army Chief said.

"But what we can say and learn from the past is that when the previous Taliban regime was in power, that time definitely we had foreign terrorists of Afghan origin in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

"So, there are reasons to believe that the same thing might happen once again that once the situation in Afghanistan stabilises, then we could see an inflow of these fighters from Afghanistan to the Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

The Indian armed forces are prepared for any such attack, according to the Chief of Army Staff.

"We are prepared for any such eventuality. We have a very strong counter-infiltration grid to stop them at the border. We have a very strong counter-terrorism grid in the hinterland to take care of any such actions. Just as we dealt with them in the early 2000s, we will deal with them now also should they venture anywhere near us," he said.

With the Taliban taking power in Afghanistan, the Indian security establishment has been worrying about the possibility of terror spill over into Jammu and Kashmir through Pakistan and an increase in terrorist activities, particularly by groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The Army Chief said the targeted killings in Jammu and Kashmir are "concerning" and "reprehensible". "They do not want normalcy. It is a last-ditch attempt to stay relevant," he said referring to militant groups.

"The people will revolt. If they (militants) say that they are doing all these for the people, then why you are killing your own people who are your support base. It is just an attempt to spread terror which is totally unacceptable," Gen Naravane said.

During India's four-month period of total observance of the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, Gen Naravane said the accord was observed "totally".

"But from the end of July onwards to September and now the beginning of October, the sporadic incidents have again started. I think again, it is following the pattern of 2003 when it would start with one odd incident and rising to as good as not having a ceasefire," he said.

"Over the last month or so, we are again seeing renewed attempts at infiltration. We have eliminated two or three such infiltration attempts," he added.

The Indian and Pakistani armies announced on February 25 an abrupt and significant move to reduce tensions by ceasing fire across the Line of Control and recommitting themselves to a 2003 ceasefire agreement.

"Apart from the infiltration bids, there have been three incidents of proper ceasefire violations that is one post firing at the other post," he said.

Image source: DefenceXP