Ikram Sh
Indian prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18.7.24 chaired a high-level cabinet meeting attended by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Amit Shah and others to review increasing of alleged militancy in the Illegal Indian Held Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and directed all concerned quarters including the army chief to employee all resources to overcome the same. Later he visited Daras in Ladakh to mark the 26th anniversary of Kargil Diwas on 26.7.24.
Chief of Indian Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi who remained Northern area commander before assuming the office of COAS on 30th June reached Police Headquarter to chair conference at Jammu in IIOJK. He reviewed anti- terror operations in South of Pir Pranjal mountains areas across Jammu region at joint Security review meeting with police, paramilitary forces, and intelligence agencies on 20.7.24. It was attended by Lt. General GOC 16 Corps, Lt. General Navin Sachdev, Director Intelligence Bureau (IB) Tapan Kumar Deka, Chief of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) Ravi Sinha, DG Border Security Force (BSF) Nitin Agarwal, DG Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Anish Dayal Singh and DG J&K Police RR Swain and others. The meeting also emphasised better coordination, interaction and removing flaw between various forces and agencies not only to control over militancy but also plugging alleged infiltration routes along 744 km long Line of Control (LOC) and 198 km border known as working boundary in IIOJK along various sectors in Jammu and Sialkot. It was second visit of the army chief, earlier he visited Poonch- Rajouri sector three weeks ago on 3.7.24 to review the security scenario. In the recent attacks nine army personnel including a captain were killed in two separate attacks/ambushes on 8th and 15.7.24 by the militants in the forest area of Machedi in Kathua, Reasi, Doda and Udhampur districts. A meeting on similar lines was held with J& K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in Raj Bhagwan in Jammu. After meetings, the Lt Governor said that they should launch well planned counter terrorism operations with synergy between all the forces and intelligence agencies to root out alleged militancy with those who help them.
It is learned that during the closed-door meetings, the COAS and participants were apprised of certain flaws and lacunas. The recommendations to plug these flaws included emphasis on human intelligence, establishing links with shepherds as informants along LOC and in villages, bringing back RR army units to re-deploy in Jammu which were sent to Ladakh region after skirmish with Chinese army back in 2020 leaving a security gap in Jammu and equip sophisticated weapons and technical gadgets to the security personnel. Besides, 3000 soldiers and 500 special forces commandos have been sent there. As believed by some security officials, there are 50 to 70 militants presently hiding in dense forest and caves as safe places for attack and escape.
Several political and security analysts are of the view that after revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution regarding autonomous status of J&K, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leadership claimed time and again that Kashmir had become peaceful and open for every one and security environment was conducive for doing all type of trade, business, industrial projects and tourism to attract the domestic and global community for safe investment. However, the poor law & order situation and reoccurrence of militancy can undermine their narrative and desire.
It is learned that after six years, J&K state assembly elections are likely to be held by the 30th September this year provided the date is not extended under direction of the Indian Supreme Court. Therefore, peaceful situation is required for holding the same and continuation of such militant attacks could hamper the process and will be a setback for the BJP government. Number of Indian media outlets as usual exaggerated sensational reporting and comments about the same by blaming Pakistan alleged hand behind these militant attacks for creating disturbance and instability in the IIOJ&K. A few are terming it a China- Pakistan nexus. Further increasing of troops movement across LOC and new strategy of the Indian agencies may not only lead to more state oppression by more killings and arrest of the innocent Kashmiri youth in fake encounters and fabricated cases. At the same time, it poses threat to Pakistan’s security on the borders and inside the country by exploiting regional and economic issues on the one side and to support terrorism on the other through covert means.
The writer is former Director of Intelligence Bureau.
