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OGWs give J&K security forces sleepless nights

For every terrorist active in Kashmir, there are nine overground workers sustaining them

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Forget terrorists, it is the army of overground workers (OGWs) that is giving sleepless nights to the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

For every terrorist active in Kashmir, there are nine OGWs lined up by their mentors. According to 2016 Crime Gazette of J&K Police, there are 1,839 OGWs operating in the state, whereas there are only 216 armed terrorists active.

Considered to be the backbone of militancy, OGWs are people who are working clandestinely to provide logistics, carry out reconnaissance of the targets, arrange hideouts, help in recruitment. manage finances, and act as guides for the armed terrorists in the state.

"OGWs are sustaining militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. Terrorists are foot soldiers who act on the advice and orders of their mentors and OGWs. If OGWs withdraw their support, terrorists will be sitting ducks. Therefore OGWs have been line up in such a manner that they help and guide the terrorists to our disadvantage," said a senior police officer.

The border area of Handwara has the highest number of OGWs at 360. Jammu, Samba, Leh, and Kargil are terrorist and OGW-free districts. Doda, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, and Poonch are terrorist-free, but there are 125, 75, 174, 21, and 120 OGWs active, respectively.

All the 10 districts of the Valley are militancy infested with both terrorists and OGWs working in tandem. Three districts of north Kashmir have the highest number of OGWs to provide support to the terrorists.

In fact, north Kashmir is the transit camp for the infiltrators who are distributed to different areas after they sneak in. It is the OGWs who play a vital role in their distribution and in providing logistic support for their sustenance.

"We are taking action whenever it is being brought to our notice. OGWs sustain terrorists. Superintendents of police have instructions to identify them and take action," Dr SP Vaid, Director General of Police, J&K, said.

In the last 27 years, about 25,000 youth, including those who had gone to Pakistan to train in arms, have either surrendered or left militancy.

Data released by Ministry of Home Affairs reveals that over 40,961 people have been killed in different parts of J&K from 1990 to March 31, 2017.

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