With massive influx of Pakistani extremists, the forces face a tough summer in the Valley
A terror wave stares at security forces in Kashmir with a massive influx of Pakistani terrorists, and spiralling of local recruits pegging the number of armed radicals at 400 in the state — a three-fold increase following the killing of Burhan Wani in July last year.
A recent review done by the army shows there are 250 local recruits and 150 Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir as of now.
The increase from 91 locals and 60 Pakistanis respectively last June, a month before Wani, a local Hizbul Mujahideen commander, was gunned down, has alarmed security agencies.
Wani’s killing triggered months of unrest in the state with frequent violent clashes between civilians and security forces.
Pakistani terrorists have also increased to 150, whereas the number was only 60 before Wani was killed.
“With increased numbers and infiltration bids scaling, the forces are preparing for challenges in the summer,” said an army officer.
Till October, the increase in numbers was not drastic. According the army review, the new recruitments over the last three to four months include 90 local terrorists. 60 of who are from the Valley. Wani’s killing triggered a massive recruitment spree, with the local sentiment going against the forces.
The army has also suffered major setbacks with locals indulging in stone-pelting during counter terror operations. This led to several terrorists escaping. In the past one year, 25 terrorists got away as mobs pelted stones at the forces when gun battles were on. This included top LeT commander Abu Dujana, who is believed to have escaped twice.
Recently, army chief General Bipin Rawat warned local youth indulging in stone-pelting during military operations that they will face consequences if they continued to indulge in such acts.
Army sources say that a tough summer lies ahead. The army has already gunned down 31 terrorists this year and suffered 10 causalities in counter-terror operations. There have been over 25 infiltration bids and three successful ones this year, but intelligence inputs indicate that terrorists from across the border are again active in launchpads, preparing to strike. In a communication last week, Indian Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen A K Bhatia informed his Pakistani counterpart that the Pakistani army is training terrorists for cross-border raids into India.
SIGNS OF DANGER
A recent review done by the army shows there are 250 local recruits and 150 Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir as of now. The increase from 91 locals and 60 Pakistanis respectively last June, a month before Burhan Wani, a local Hizbul Mujahideen commander, was gunned down, has alarmed security agencies.
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