New Delhi: Five major terrorist incidents in the last 10 days in Jammu and Kashmir have increased the concern of the people. The incidents of terrorism and infiltration from the border here have troubled the security agencies. Now security agencies may have to re-think the winter counter-terrorism strategy in the Union Territory. Two such incidents occurred in Chasana area of Reasi district south of Pir Panjal and Narla area of Rajouri district and three between Uri and Baramulla. The incidents took place on the LoC in Uri sector and north of the mountain range at Hathlanga near Anantnag. Officials say this increase in terrorist activities points to Pakistan’s increasing efforts to warm Jammu and Kashmir before the onset of winter. When infiltration becomes difficult in the higher northern areas due to heavy snowfall. However, infiltration of terrorists from across the LoC in all weather launchpads remains possible in areas south of Pir Panjal, an official said.
But entering the valley becomes difficult due to snow and difficult hilly terrain in the Shamshbari range and Pir Panjal range running north of Lolab, he added. The official said efforts are being made to send more number of trained terrorists across the Line of Control before winter, also due to decline in local recruitment numbers. Unarmed infiltration using non-traditional routes is also increasing. There have also been incidents of arms and ammunition being dropped close to the Line of Control, so that these could be picked up by terrorist associates inside the Indian border. Also pointed out the difficulty in immediately tracing the route of infiltration.
According to data till June this year, of the total terrorists killed in the UT since 2020, 549 were local, while 86 were of foreign origin. At least 133 local recruits to the terrorists either surrendered or were arrested during this period. Whereas during the same period the number of foreign terrorists was 17. The data showed that in May 2023, 36 local terrorists and 71 foreign terrorists were present in the valley. And during the same period, number of 13 local terrorists and two foreign terrorists were also present in Jammu region.
