Ramzan this year is witnessing an alarming three-fold increase in stone-pelting instances, compared to 2016.
Starting May 27 till now, over 100 incidents of stone-pelting were recorded in Kashmir Valley, as against just 36 during the entire Ramzan last year.
The steep rise in stone-pelting incidents follows the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhatt and shows the increasing tendency to obstruct anti-terror operations of the armed forces.
Given the religious sanctity attached to Ramzan period wherein devotees observe fast, the levels of violence generally see a downward trend. However, contrary to this phenomenon, security forces, including the Army, para-military forces and the local police are now battling a surge in violence, including terrorist-initiated incidents and stone-pelting.
Faced with this situation, officials admit that the remaining days of the holy month will see more violence against the backdrop of which the forces are redrawing their tactics to keep violence levels within manageable limits.
Giving figures, they said four terrorist-initiated incidents like attacks on security forces or vital installations have taken place so far, as compared to 13 for the entire holy month last year.
And officials apprehend the coming days will see a determined bid by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists to go all out to stoke unrest in the already restive districts of South and North Kashmir.
last year, 20 terrorists too were killed in firefight with security forces even as 10 soldiers were martyred in these incidents.
The seriousness of the situation can be gauged from the fact that the Army has killed 14 terrorists in encounters along the line of Control (loC) and in the hinterland in the last four days while an Army jawan also lost his life. Pakistan Army made multiple attempts to push armed infiltrators across the loC and these bids were foiled at Machhil and Naugam sectors in Kupwara district, Gurez in Bandipora district and Uri in Baramulla in the last one week alone.
The Northern Command in a statement on Saturday said explosives, inflammable material, arms and ammunition recovered from the infiltrators indicate that Pakistans’s design to orchestrate high-profile incidents targeting innocent civilian population and security forces during Ramzan.
In fact, the holy month began on a bloody note when six heavily armed infiltrators were killed along the lOC in Rampur sector of Baramulla. The same day Sabzar was killed by security forces in Tral.
His death triggered off series of protest demonstrations across South Kashmir and the cycle is still going on in parts of Kashmir valley, said officials, adding a close look at the incidents of militant violence and stone pelting clearly reveal how deep radicalised youth have penetrated among the student groups and are fuelling unrest.
The situation along the lOC remains equally volatile with regular exchange of intense shelling and desperate attempts by Pakistan Army and ISI to push in heavily armed groups to carry out terror strikes. Reports indicate that more than 200 terrorists are poised to sneak into the State from across.
Unlike last year, when infiltration began in January itself as ingress routes were bereft of snow, this year heavy snowfall blocked the routes till mid May. This has resulted in a shortened window for infiltration as the mountain passes will again be blocked by October. With this crucial factor coming into play, terrorists are desperate to come in as soon as possible during this short period and are taking risks by sneaking in big groups. This makes it easier for the Army to track and neutralise them at the lOC itself, officials said.