It is a contrasting tale of anti-terror operations in two different regions in Jammu & Kashmir. The security forces have so far killed nearly 125 terrorists in South Kashmir this year but have found little luck in the Northern part of the State where it is specifically targeting 90-odd highly-trained foreign terrorists. This is causing much concern within the security establishment. If not nabbed or neutralised, these terrorists could go all out during winter when snowfall blocks all infiltration routes.
In an effort to disturb the “comfort zone” of these terrorists, now hiding in areas of Handwara, Pattan Palan, Rajwar forests and Hafruda besides some other adjoining districts, the Army launched a major campaign about 20 days back, first reported by The Pioneer.
Anti-terrorist operations are now on round-the-clock unlike in the past when they were generally done twice in a week in these areas. However, desired results in terms of either arrests or neutralising of the terrorists have not come as so far. Three terrorists were neutralised on Monday but that is seen too little.
The onset of the apple harvest season has further compounded the problems of the Army as the orchards are now fully laden with the fruit providing excellent cover to the terrorists to hide and avoid security dragnet, they said.
Explaining the urgency to meet the emerging threat, officials said these foreign terrorists are lying low in the safe houses provided by over ground workers (OGWs) or sympathisers and will attack vital installations and other high value targets in winter months when infiltration from across the line of Control (loC) nearly stops.
Admitting that the presence of such large number of foreign terrorists is a matter of “serious concern”, officials said these terrorists will pose a major challenge to the security forces. While infiltration levels at present are within manageable limits, officials did not rule out a spurt in infiltration bids in the next few weeks. If a sizable number of them are able to sneak in, the number of foreign terrorists will swell and Pakistan Army and ISI will definitely take advantage of the situation, they said.
Elaborating upon the success rate in South Kashmir with more than 40 terrorists killed in the last few weeks, officials said this came about due to better inflow on real time Intelligence. Due to pressure exerted through operations, the terrorists are forced to move and it results in almost immediate tip-off to the security forces.
With heavy rain likely in higher reaches of North Kashmir, the Army will find it all the more difficult to go after the foreign terrorists. To overcome this situation, the security forces are now keeping track of OGWs besides further strengthening their surveillance grid, officials said. Also, the intensity and tempo of operations has now become relentless, they said adding the coming few weeks are crucial to ferret out these terrorists.