Bashir Assad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Aug 7: The security grid across J&K has been tightened following a spurt in attacks by militants, officials said.
Security forces deployed in the state have been asked to remain extra vigilant while massive operations are underway to nab suspected militants active in many parts of the Kashmir valley and Pir Panjal region.
"The security forces have been kept on high alert and pro-active mechanism has been devised to foil the attempts of the militants aimed at vitiating the atmosphere" a senior police official told Early Times on Friday.
J&K Police personnel, paramilitary CRPF troopers and even BSF personnel have been deployed in length to keep vigil on subversive elements, the officer said. "We have launched an offensive to get hold of the militants and will not wait for their action," said the officer.
Multi-layered barricades have been raised on all routes leading to Srinagar to nab the suspicious elements. Security forces have occupied all high rise buildings, keeping a close watch on vehicles and pedestrians. The bikers are particularly kept on high radar in Srinagar city. Hundreds of security forces personnel have been deployed on naka checkings, particularly in the civil lines and uptown, conducting random search of vehicles and frisking of pedestrians and passengers.
Recent attacks by militants in Pattan, Sopore, Pulwama, Shopian, Tral, Anantnag and Kulgam in the Valley and Udhampur district in Jammu division have deeply worried the security grid. The authorities fear more attacks on police and security forces across the state. On August 6, security forces killed two militants of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) when they were fired upon a search party in Kakapora village of Pulwama district.
Given the presence of militants in Kashmir and the regular attempts of infiltration from across the border, the Mufti led PDP-BJP coalition government is struggling to tackle the situation.
Even though many argue that the spurt in militant attacks was on expected lines as militancy is not completely out, the new strategy of militants is disturbing for the authorities.
Earlier this week, militants registered their presence by attacking at three places in a single day. The major attack took place in Udhampur where two BSF jawans were killed in an ambush. Last week, militants fired upon a police party at Pattan, critically injuring three policemen. Mufti, who returned to power for the second time after leading a PDP-Congress coalition from 2003 to 2005 is seen as soft towards separatists and an advocate of reconciliation with Pakistan.
Many feel that the new challenge thrown by the militants to PDP-led coalition government is very serious. And it has narrowed down the options for Mufti. If he will adopt soft policy, there are chances that militants may resort to more deadly attacks taking advantage of the complacency of the security force. And if he adopts proactive policy, he will lose his public support and will be exposed before the people. And in this scenario the National Conference stands benefited because they would exploit the weakness of the PDP government, according to political observers. |
