JAMMU, Nov 4: The Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan has started pushing in Afghan Talibans into Jammu and Kashmir, while security forces have geared up to intercept them, according to sources.

This was indicated during the recent seizures made by the Army and security forces all over the state. Giving details, sources said three foreign mercenaries were challenged by an Army patrol soon after they sneaked into Balakot area of Poonch district from Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK). After a brief exchange of firing, the militants fled leaving behind the Chinese made anti-tank grenade launcher and a latest version of the AK 74S rifle. These weapons had been used by Talibans during the war in Afghanistan.

The troops had also seized an anti-aircraft gun from Kupwara sector a few months ago, besides an anti-tank missile and a `flame thrower' (also a kind of missile) from militants in Poonch and Rajouri sectors last month.

The Chinese made portable anti-tank grenade launcher is reportedly a replica of the Soviet RPG 7 anti-tank rocket launcher of 1972 make. However, it is an advanced version of the Soviet one. A heavier tube, a folding bipod, better insulation of the handgrip area on the tube, and a searsight which is adjustable for windage are some of the new additions.

Besides, it has an optical sight fitted with an illuminating device and range finder stadia times, defence sources said. Its performance is also the same as that of the Soviet version, though the Chinese round has self destruction capability.

The anti-tank weaponry appeared to have been provided by the ISI to the militants for use against the moving Army and security forces columns, or their fortified bunkers.

About the seizure of the AK 74S rifle, sources said it had the wording `Pak made' inscribed on it. This clearly indicated that the ordnance factories in Pakistan were manufacturing and assembling these assault rifles for use by foreign mercenaries operating in the state.

Significantly, the Janes Book on weapons does not mention the name of Pakistan as a manufacturer of the AK rifles. This shows that the manufacture of AK 74S rifles was being carried out clandestinely.

The AK 74S, which was the improved version of AK 47 and AK 56 rifles had a small calibre than the latter. Though the Pak made AK 74S was lesser in weight and smaller in length than that manufactured by Russia, it had lesser effective range.

The firing rate of the Pak made AK 74S was lesser than the 650 rounds per minute fired by the Russian version. The firing rate of the weapon appears to have been cut by Pakistan to avoid unnecessary wastage of ammunition by militants during the operations, sources added.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.