Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday said recent reports indicated that a large number of launching camps along the Line of Control [Images] from Rajouri to Gurez Sector were activated where militants have been kept in readiness for infiltration.

Stating this in a written reply, he said that the deployment of troops for counterterrorist operations was based on the threat perception and the prevailing situation in the state. It is constantly reviewed and necessary changes effected to counter the envisaged threat, he said.

The army has killed 560 terrorists in various operations during this year till July 27, 2005, he said and added that 71 officers and soldiers were killed by terrorists in 2005 as on July 25.

The defence minister said that de-mining operations have been completed and land in all areas, except those required for operational reasons, have been handed back to the owners.

He said a small quantity of mines still remain unaccounted for due to prolonged deployment, mines drifting due to heavy rains, rodents shifting the mines and growth of dense vegetation around the area.

For such unrecovered mines, precautionary measures are taken, like blasting of mines by mechanised equipment and issuing precautionary advice to landowners before handing over the land back to the owners, he said.