With increased vigil along the Line of Control and intensive operations in hinterland by security forces, Nepal has emerged as an alternate route for militants to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir [Images] from Pakistan.

The fact came to light once again after two militants affiliated to pro-Pakistan groups surrendered before the Army soon after landing in Srinagar [Images] from the neighbouring country. Manzoor Ahmad Lone of al-Barq and Nazir Ahmad Lone of Tehrik-e-Jehad outfits, both hailing from Kupwara district, travelled from Pakistan to Nepal on different dates and crossed over to India before surrendering to army in Srinagar on Tuesday, a Defence spokesman told reporters in Srinagar on Wednesday.

Presenting the surrendered militants before media persons, the spokesman said that while Nazir travelled on May 15 from Karachi to Kathmandu, Manzoor flew in on June 10. Thereafter, both of them crossed over to India and reached Srinagar by taking Gorakhpur-Delhi-Jammu-Srinagar route.

Displaying the passports and identity cards issued to them by the Pakistani government, one of the passports clearly shows Kupwara as the birthplace of the individual. Due to increased vigil along the Line of Control and intensive operations in hinterland by security forces, infiltration has become difficult and the militants are infiltrating into the state via Nepal, the spokesman said.

Confirming their infiltration into the country from across the border via Nepal, both militants said it was a war for money going on in the valley and claimed that they came across to get weapons and money.