Jammu and Kashmir Security: Security agencies have expressed concern about the increase in infiltration activity along the Line of Control along the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir. If the security forces are foiling many infiltration attempts, then the possibility of many other terrorist infiltrator gangs not being caught is also high.
New Delhi: Security agencies have raised concerns about an increase in activity along the Line of Control (LoC) along Rajouri and Poonch Valley, resulting in an increase in the level of infiltration attempts. He said, “It cannot be denied that infiltration is happening from these areas. A senior official says that if the efforts are being thwarted by the security forces, then the possibility of any other group not being detected is relatively high. However, the level of infiltration is the lowest so far this year.
According to the official, Pakistan’s strategy is clear that even if 20-30 percent of the infiltrators are killed in encounters, keep sending more terrorists to the LoC.
Army is facing trouble in these areas for the last two years
He further said, “It is an all-weather route, which also benefits them and they can easily cross the valley.” But what is now forcing the agencies to reshuffle these areas is the number of casualties the army has been facing in these areas for the last two years.
Agencies also warned security forces
According to the government, a total of 26 security personnel, including three officers and five paratroopers, and seven civilians have been killed in these areas since October 21. The agencies have also warned the security forces working on the ground. Inputs also suggest that infiltration attempts may increase in the coming days. Dheeraj Sharma, sarpanch of Dangri village, told sources, “The cordon and search operation is now a daily affair. We are talking about encounters and casualties.”
After being a hotbed of militancy in the mid-1990s, the area has been relatively calm since the mid-2000s. But recently both these areas have witnessed all kinds of violence ranging from fidayeen to army ambushes. “After Galwan, there was a reduction in forces in the area, but now it is being reworked,” disclosed a senior official. According to him, the terrorists are now piring “after the setbacks in Kashmir”. In the Panjal region, they are targeting the Rajouri-Poonch belt.
Security and intelligence agency engaged in restoring peace
He further added, “Now more aggressive CASO intelligence based operations are being carried out.” Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in fact also indicated that new tactics are being adopted by the security and intelligence agencies to restore peace in Rajouri and Poonch region.
Interestingly, this was also highlighted in the recent Human Rights Report for Jammu and Kashmir, which states, “After decades of peace, the border areas of Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu division are occupied by the former state of Pakistan. re-emerging as havens for terrorism with cross-border support from occupied territories.”
