After quietly rushing an entire Brigade into South Kashmir, senior Army officers on ground zero have now felt the need to rush more troops from Jammu to other parts of ‘turbulent’ Kashmir Valley to restore order and avoid fresh flare up of violence in coming days. According to highly-placed sources in the Udhampur-based Northern Command headquarters, “At least two more Brigades are likely to be shifted to Kashmir Valley in the coming days”.
The need to rush more troops was felt after carrying out a high-level fresh review of the prevailing security situation in different parts of Kashmir Valley. Initially, the Army officers were of the opinion that they would be able to contain the situation with the help of at least one additional Brigade. But as the security situation continues to remain grim and angry protesters have started vandalising Government buildings and torching them, the Army officers have concluded they may require more troops to clear the blocked State highways and interior roads controlled by the motivated brigade of local youth.
“At present we are awaiting final orders to rush more troops from Jammu region. The movement is likely to be over by this month end, if required,” a senior officer told The Pioneer.
It is not confirmed whether these two Brigades would be deployed in South Kashmir to further fortify armys’ defences in the four worst affected districts of Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam or these troops would be rushed to more sensitive areas of North Kashmir to plug ingress routes.
Armys’ biggest worry is approaching winter season and field commanders of different formations are keen on preventing fresh infiltration bids from their area of operation before the mountain passes are closed due to fresh snowfall in the higher reaches.
As per field reports situation in parts of North Kashmir is equally volatile and it needs professional handling as otherwise it runs the risk of triggering fresh cycle of violence.
After a recent fidayeen strike by Pak trained militants in frontier Poonch district GOC-in-C Northern Command lt Gen DS Hooda is learnt to have directed the senior army officers in the region for strengthening the Anti-Infiltration Grid along the loC in Rajouri and Poonch districts as well.