Security agencies believe that the missing youth may have been part of a mass recruitment drive by terrorist outfits in Kashmir
An estimated 100 young men have gone missing from their homes in various parts of the Kashmir Valley over the last three months. According to a secret internal report by security agencies, following the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir after the death of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani in July this year, 80-100 youth are reportedly untraceable.
Security agencies believe that these men may have been part of a mass recruitment drive by terrorist outfits. A review done by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) also indicated that the recruitment of local youth was likely to increase in the coming months.
"We expect a big surge in local recruitment in the next few days. It's difficult to give an accurate number as of now, but in the last three months, the numbers have gone up considerably," a top security official told DNA.
Sources in the security establishment said with the local armed movement gathering momentum, security forces and particularly the Army have been asked to carry out area domination exercises in parts of the state considered especially prone to terrorist activity. Areas and neighbourhoods in south Kashmir have been identified as potential recruitment hubs which are now under watch.
AT A GLANCE
Clashes between raging stone pelting protestors and security forces have killed more than 80 people and left thousands wounded in the Valley.
Figures show just how alarming the situation in the Valley has become. Last year, security agencies estimated that 80 Kashmiri youth had joined the terror ranks.
This year, till July, before Wani's death, only 35 Kashmiri youth had been recruited.
Post Wani's death, agencies say the number of radicalised Kashmiri youth has risen to 90, out of the total number of 145 militants in the Valley.
"Before Wani's killing around 35 locals had taken up arms this year. We had expected the numbers to be low. But now everything has changed in the last three months and the number of militants are likely to go well over 100 this year," said an official.
Officials privy to the situation say that it is no surprise then that Pakistan-based terror outfits are taking advantage of the situation and luring local men. Just like Wani who soon became the posterboy of indigenous militancy in the conflict hit state, another rung of young men are now being prepared to be showcased as local militants.
The rise in local militants is alarming as it can help Pakistani-based terrorists to carry out attack on security forces with greater ease. "Not only do the local recruits gather support for an armed insurgency but also play a crucial role in assisting fidayeens who infiltrate from Pakistan to carry out terror strikes," says a security official.
It's not the first time that recent events have caused Kashmiri youth to pick up the gun. In 2013, the hanging of Afzal Guru, convicted for the Parliament attack of 2001, became a catalyst for local youth in the state to join terror groups.
The Burhan Wani killing could well just be another catalyst for an even bigger indigenous militant movement against Indian security forces.
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 "Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani (R) was killed in July 2016")
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