SRINAGAR, June 18 (2000): At least 2,500 separatist guerrillas are waiting near the Pakistan border to cross into troubled Kashmir, a senior army official said.

“Our figures show at least 2,500 terrorists awaiting to infiltrate across the LoC (line of control) opposite the Kashmir region,” Major General J.N. Mukherjee, stationed in Srinagar, strife-torn Kashmir’s summer capital told a news conference on Saturday.

“Of these, approximately 200 are opposite Kanzalwan, 250 opposite Machil, 200 opposite Kern, 150 opposite Tangdhar, 350 in Lipa Valley, 300 opposite Uri and Gulmarag and 500 in Muzaffarabad,” Mukherjee said.

Kanzalwan, Machil, Kern, Tangdhar, Lipa Valley, Uri and Gulmarag areas lie on the 740-km (463-mile) line of control which divides bitterly disputed Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

Muzaffarabad is capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

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