Security forces are bracing for a “hot summer” in Jammu & Kashmir with more than 250 local terrorists backed by nearly 150 foreign terrorists poised to raise the levels of violence in the State in the coming weeks. Faced with this challenge, the Army has adopted a proactive approach by hunting down terrorists in the hinterland. The last fortnight alone witnessed three fierce encounters.
The local commanders aim to increase the tempo of anti-terrorist operations to deter Pakistan-backed terrorists from infiltrating from across the line of Control (loC) once snow starts melting and ingress routes open up. The objective of heightened vigil is to deny the space and opportunity to the terrorists to target vital installations in the hinterland close to the loC.
Elaborating upon the apprehensions of a “hot summer,” officials in the security establishment said the terrorists were expected to adopt a two-pronged strategy of trying to step up the number of infiltration bids and unleash violence in the hinterland. They could get the backing of the separatists who could make a bid to whip up passions leading to mass protests to hamper operations, they said.
Giving details of the number of terrorists already hiding in the State, they said more than 400 terrorists including 250 local terrorists and 150 foreign ultras were present in South Kashmir, including Srinagar Valley, Kupwara, Sopore, Pulwama, Kulgam and Baramulla. The figure for Jammu division was 100 terrorists, including 60 locals and 40 foreign.
The security forces were alarmed over the higher number of local terrorists besides 100 fresh recruits joining various terrorist tanzeems (organizations) including Hizbul Mujahideen and Pakistan-based and controlled laskhar-e-Tayyeba (leT).
Familiar with the terrain and supported by misguided citizens, the local terrorists were moving around in the hinterland targeting security forces. In fact, they managed to kill at least eight soldiers in three encounters including one ambush last month forcing the local commanders to redraw their tactics.
Even Army chief General Bipin Rawat last week in an interview to a newspaper admitted that the Army expected a “hot summer” and was prepared to deal with the challenge.
Explaining the proactive approach, officials said the Army along with the local police and Central Reserve Police Force was now “seeking out” terrorists following real-time Intelligence. At least eight terrorists were killed in three encounters in the last one fortnight in Kupwara, Bandipora, Pulwama and Tral.
Asked about more “contacts” or encounters with terrorists, sources said anti-militancy operations had virtually come to a standstill in the latter part of last year following public unrest after the killing of Burhan Wani. The Army, the police and CRPF were engaged in managing the law and order situation for nearly four to five months and Intelligence leads about terrorists “dried up,” they said.
With the law and order situation becoming somewhat normal, the Army ramped up its Intelligence network with the help of the local police and was now going after the terrorists to deny them the freedom of movement and opportunity to hit the security forces and strategically important installations.
On ensuring free and fair polls for Srinagar and Anantnag, a high-level team led by the Union Home Secretary was scheduled to visit the State shortly to hold discussions with all the stakeholders to review the security situation. Apart from making preparations for the polls, the high-level meeting will also take measures to provide a foolproof security net for the forthcoming tourist season and Amarnath Yatra.
Moreover, taking note of encounters where security forces were prevented from maintaining a cordon at the operation site by stone throwers, the Home Ministry recently directed the paramilitary and State police force to remain in the forefront to contain public anger and facilitate smooth operations.
A stern warning was also issued to the top brass of paramilitary forces and the police not to allow the anti-national elements and mischief mongers to take undue advantage of the humane approach of the security forces towards youths protesting on the streets of different parts of Kashmir Valley.
To effectively tackle the situation in the coming weeks the State Government has already requisitioned 250 additional companies of paramilitary forces to handle the law and order situation, militancy related violence and area domination duties.
On the other hand, fresh Intelligence reports shared by the various agencies have already alerted about the possibility of fresh militant attacks by a suicide squad of Pakistan-based militant outfits. In the recent days these agencies have spotted increasing presence of terrorists close to their launching pads along the International Border in Samba and Kathua districts. The situation along the loC is no different either.
India recently expressed its concern to Pakistan over the large presence of terrorists close to the loC in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). This message was conveyed during the talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations of the two countries.
Tension mounted between India and Pakistan after the Pakistan Army killed an Indian jawan in a sniping incident in Poonch last week. The incident was followed by heavy exchange of fire in which Trade Facilitation centre facilitating cross-border trade between two countries in Chakkan-da-Bagh, Poonch was targeted by the Pakistan Army using long-range mortar shells.