Srinagar/Jammu Tawi, June 26: Is the security situation in the Kashmir valley assuming as alarming dimensions as it has been witnessed in the Naxal and Maoist infested Jharkhand state where police and paramilitary forces in scores have been killed during the
last three to four years? If anybody has any doubt one needs to focus
on the Pulwama incident where eight CRPF personnel were killed and 20
others were injured against killing of two militants.
It was a major incident in which eight CRPF personnel lost their
lives. This also indicates that Lashkar-i-Toiba activists have become
quite active after their successful infiltration bid from across the
LOC.Even the police authorities have admitted that the sudden increase
in incidents of militancy related violence has been the result of
increase in ingress of militants. Authorities claim that more than 250
militants are active in Kashmir when their number was 150 a month ago.
This clearly indicates that the level of ingress has gone up.
No doubt the Army claim that series of infiltration bids had
been foiled on the LOC and more than 20 militants were killed on the
border reports indicate that more L:ashkar activists were being
helped in crossing into the Kashmir valley which calls for revamping
of the security grid not only on the LOC but within the valley.
Reports said that additional companies of troops were being sent
to the LOC, especially in Kupwara sector which has remained the nerve
centre for Pak agencies for pushing into Kashmir groups of militants.
In addition to this several security bunkers, which had been shut
during the last three years, were being set up in the valley's most
sensitive areas.
Senior functionaries of the Army and the paramilitary forces
have suggested to the central Government that the time has not come
for repealing AFSPA from the state.These functionaries have stated
that without AFSPA they may not be able to carry out counter militancy
operations, including search operations and the state Government
should support the moves initiated by the Army and the paramilitary
forces. These functionaries have suggested to troops and the
paramilitary forces to remain ready for retaliating in case their
convoys or pickets were attacked. Both troops and men of the
paramilitary forces have been told to make use of grenades for
preventing militants from attacking their convoys.
Senior functionaries of the police and Army are of the
opinion that militants may have carried out a recee of the area before
launching the attack as is being done in Jharkhand state. Hence the
Army, the paramilitary forces and the police have been told to make
full use of their intelligence wings so that such attacks could be
foiled.
Such types of attacks may find some increase after militants
and separatists had felt discouraged by the voting percentage in
Anantnag constituency and by the victory of Mehbooba Mufti which
indicates that the coalition Government is to last for another five
years.
