The massive troop mobilisation in Jammu & Kashmir comes amid multiple inputs suggesting synchronised attacks on sarpanchs, besides the Amarnath pilgrims and security forces by Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)and Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT).
The additional security forces are expected to fortify vulnerable points, especially in the rural pockets of the Valley and also take care of any law and order situation arising due to any such hits. This apart, intelligence agencies have alerted about the threat of an action by Border Action Team of the Pakistan Army on forward Indian troops and also about the presence of 15 JeM terrorists in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) ready to infiltrate into the Valley.
Sarpanchs have been on the radar of the Pakistani terror groups as their elections last year is seen as a move to strengthen grassroots democracy which has the potential to wean away the youths from the jehadi narrative.
A team of three JeM operatives is reported to have been stationed at a terror launch pad in Nezapir in POK and are under the direct control of Ibrahim Azhar, brother of Jaish boss Masood Azhar. They are being commanded by Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group, also known as Maroon Berets.
Sources have not ruled out lone wolf attacks by suicide bombers and long-range sniper attacks, besides mine explosions and IED blasts on tourists and pilgrims as also on convoys of security forces. Such attacks would not only generate localised impact but lead to a cascading effect and will have a bearing on security in large parts of the country, sources said justifying the troops mobilisation.
With the impact of the latest Pakistani ploy estimated to be of long term in nature, the administration has prepared for a long haul and a number of educational institutions have been shut with the twin agenda of removing the radicalised students of the student wings of Hizbul Mujahideen and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) and the possibility of providing shelter to the additional troops, sources said.
Corps Commander, Chinar Corps, clearly indicated on Friday that there are serious attempts by terrorists to revive terrorism amid a leadership crisis in terror ranks.
Amid ever-evolving terror tactic, threat of IEDs looms large over the Valley as IED experts from Pakistan continue to be on the prowl at the behest of the Pakistan Army and ISI to disrupt Amarnath Yatra.
Unless funds and weaponry from the US in the name of so-called war on terror stops, Pakistan will continue to use such assistance for fuelling trouble in the Valley even as the security forces have recovered at least one America-made sniper M 24, the source said.