A substantial portion of the Line of Control has been fenced, Indian Army sources told rediff.com

The fencing has gone ahead despite opposition from Pakistan. The army hopes it will deter terrorists from infiltrating into India once the snows start melting in the higher ranges of the mountains bordering Jammu and Kashmir.

The multi-layered fences have been erected in 360 kilometres out of a total of 580 kilometres proposed for the entire project, said Colonel Ravi Thodge of the Directorate of Military Operations at Army Headquarters.

The entire LoC is 778 kilometres. But about 200 kilometres wouldn't be fenced because those are areas, difficult peaks and steep locations through which there has been no infiltration, he added.

The entire 580-kilometre stretch of fencing would be completed by May-end, according to army estimates.

In some areas where snow cover may still persist a slight delay might be there, Col Thodge said. "The army's aim is to block all routes of infiltration before summer," he said.

The Indian Army has been on an overdrive to fence the LoC ever since it declared a ceasefire with Pakistan, bringing to an end the incessant firing from across border that was preventing the fencing.

The army is putting up the fence based on the success of fences along Punjab border during 1980s to stop infiltration and exfiltration of Sikh terrorists.

The fencing, which began in June 2003, would have some 300 kilometres of it to the north of Pir Panjal ranges and some 280 kilometres to its south, Col Thodge said.

Col Thodge said the fencing is subject to round the clock surveillance. Ground sensors and alarm systems have also been installed, he said.

He admitted the fence, which is one to eight kilometers inside the Indian territory has divided some villages. To facilitate their farming the army has issued special passes for these villagers, Col Thodge said.

The fencing is costing the army at the rate of Rs 3 million per kilometre.

The army, Col Thodge said, has repositioned its troops for the fencing. But he said it has but has not thinned them out.

He said in the months of January, February and March infiltration has been slightly less than last year.