Jammu, May 20 (IANS): With the snow melting in high mountain passes in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army has stepped up its vigil along the Line of control (LoC) following reports that 500-1,000 militants were waiting to infiltrate, army sources said Sunday.

The army has diverted more troops to the LoC, mostly from the counter-insurgency grid, to strengthen its vigil along the borderline that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

According to the sources, there were "authentic reports" of the militants' concentration at the launching pads across the LoC. Their number is around 500 to 1,000, and they are waiting to infiltrate anytime as the snow has started melting in the mountainous passes that serve as a deterrent during winters.

The army is taking no chances as the hard effort put in to gain peace in the past nearly one and a half years is "precious for all of us, particularly for the people of Jammu and Kashmir," a source said.

The force has already put up fence, flood-lighting and sensors along the LoC to check infiltration.

A sudden spurt was noticed in infiltration bids towards the end of last year, but this year the army has further strengthened its anti-infiltration grid.