Relentless anti-terrorist operations by security forces together with improved Intelligence network and an effective multi-command grid have led to the neutralisation of 200 terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir this year so far, the highest in the last seven years. Significantly, the Armed forces registered lesser casualties compared to last year. The turnaround came about after the Army started conducting daily operations as compared to two to three a week in the past in Kashmir valley and higher reaches of North Kashmir.
This drives also resulted in the violence levels coming down. The Army has claimed it will maintain the ongoing pace in the winter months also to deny terrorists freedom of space and movement. In fact, the strife-torn Valley has not seen terrorist incident for the last ten days, officials in the security establishment said here on Thursday.
Elaborating upon the success achieved in controlling violence thereby giving a chance to the political leadership to reach out to the masses, they said “kinetic violence”, was contained as evident from relative calm now.
As regards “potential” violence, the security forces — including Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and local police — adopted a three-pronged strategy. It included bringing down infiltration from across the line of Control (loC) and going after the terrorists operating in the hinterland.
The third factor in favour of law enforcement agencies was the fact that terrorist groups are facing shortage of fighters. The number of terrorists now in hiding was less than those killed.
Sources said this meant that the terrorist tanzeems (organizations) did not have minimum sustainable number of terrorists to step up violence.
Moreover, local police were now taking on terrorists after they killed at least seven policemen -- including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) -- some months back. Improved real-time Intelligence, including technical surveillance, and sources on the ground provided by the Jammu & Kashmir Police were giving vital tip-offs about terrorists to security forces. This also resulted in the Army having lesser casualties among its ranks this year. While the figure stood at 63 last year, 51 soldiers have attained martyrdom this year while fighting terrorists.
Admitting that next three to four months were critical to enable the security forces to maintain the upper hand, officials said round-the-clock anti-terrorist operations will continue even during the winter months. The main objective of this strategy is not to allow terrorists to operate and deny them space and movement.
Explaining the rationale for the strategy, they said terrorists generally lie low during winter months as ingress routes from across the lOC are blocked by snow. Moreover, the apple orchards, which provide cover to them before harvest, are now clear thereby increasing the visibility of security forces.
In the higher reaches, the terrorist avoid moving as their footprints in the snow are a dead giveaway for the security forces to come after them. Operational commanders have directed the troops to fan out in the snow-bound areas to keep the terrorists on the run and deny them safe hiding places in caves and forests, officials said.