As Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) braces for a series of events and tourist season, the security forces are battling Pakistan’s centralised control and command to send terrorists, along with unexpected weather. According to top-level officials deployed in Kashmir, there are reports of terrorist movement in different areas, mainly Poonch and Rajouri, almost daily.
Jammu and Kashmir will have the Lok Sabha elections, followed by the Amarnath Yatra, with local elections expected to conclude before September. Additionally, the tourist season has already begun.
The officials said that although there is no authentic data on infiltration this year, since the third week of April, Pakistan has been trying to push terrorists from launch pads.
“The weather is one factor that provides favorable conditions for infiltration, but it is the pressure that is forcing terror groups to target anyone, including tourists. Unlike in the previous years, they have targeted tourists, which shows the desperation of terror outfits to demonstrate their efforts to their masters in spreading terror in J&K,” a senior official deployed in J&K told News18.
Another senior official involved in intelligence gathering stated that there have been inputs of terror-related movements getting centralised due to the multiple events scheduled in J&K, including the elections.
“Earlier, tanzeems used to send terrorists during infiltration-prone seasons. Each tanzeem had its area of operations and would send young terrorists with specific tasks. But due to changes in Kashmir, they have shifted focus from the Kashmir area to Poonch and Rajouri. Also, tanzeems have been instructed not to send terrorists independently to avoid getting eliminated by forces. Now, everything is centralised, and the actual masters decide everything resulting in low infiltration,” the official said, on condition of anonymity.
A senior official heading anti-terror operation told News18 about various movements of terrorists, particularly from the Pir Panjal range. Forces suspect that there is either local backup or easy routes that terrorists are exploiting to attack and leave without leaving any traces.
“Terrorists operating in the Poonch-Rajouri areas likely have local support or easy routes they use after attacking forces. While reviewing past incidents, forces have noticed a pattern in the routes, which they suspect are being used by terrorists to flee,” the official said.
Last week, a former sarpanch was killed and a couple from Rajasthan was injured in two firing incidents by terrorists. The incidents have hinted forces that tourist season this time would be a challenge.
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