Politics

Weapon snatching by suspected militants ring alarm bells in the Kashmir valley

Several instances of weapon snatching have been reported in the valley, adding to the work of the security forces.

October 19, 2016

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]F[/dropcap]requent incidents of weapon snatching in Kashmir valley has sent shivers down the spine of security forces ahead of the long winter season. The alarming rate with which heavily armed militants are striking at will, looting weapons and targeting vital security installations it has left security forces bit jittery.

It is no secret that when Burhan Wani was alive and kicking he enjoyed fan following of local youth on the social networking sites.

Though Governor NN Vohra while chairing a high level security review meeting had recently ordered multi agency security audit of the military and other vital installations but till the time the said audit would be completed militants might have targeted few more army camps with an aim to inflict maximum damage to security forces.

Governor had also directed the security forces to launch counter insurgency operations in the hinterland to prevent big strikes in the coming weeks.

With mountain passes set to be covered with snow in higher reaches the heavily armed infiltrators are expected to make desperate bids to sneak inside the Indian territory via North Kashmir district of Kupwara in Kashmir valley and through frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch, south of Pir Panjal in Jammu region.

Similar infiltration bids are also expected from across the International border with Pakistan, as per the rough estimates of various intelligence agencies.

So far the International border has not witnessed any fresh escalation of tension after the Uri terror strike and surgical strike inside Pok.

[dropcap color=”#008040″ boxed=”yes” boxed_radius=”8px” class=”” id=””]H[/dropcap]owever, the manner in which the weapon snatching has been executed it clearly indicates resurgence of home grown militants amidst tumultuous period of unrest witnessed after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

Even after completion of 100 days of continuous bandh and street protests the heavy deployment of security forces have not been able to prevent incidents of weapon snatching from security personnel.

It is no secret that when Burhan Wani was alive and kicking he enjoyed fan following of local youth on the social networking sites.

He regularly posted small videos and motivational speeches urging youth in the Kashmir valley to join the freedom movement.

In his death he instantly ignited the spark and revived the freedom movement goading many among the disgruntled and unemployed youth to take up guns. Even radicalised group of men played key role in motivating local youth to join the path of militancy to avenge killing of youthful Burhan Wani.

Even after completion of 100 days of continuous bandh and street protests the heavy deployment of security forces have not been able to prevent incidents of weapon snatching from security personnel.

Interestingly, the daring acts of weapon snatching have raised question marks on the tall claims made by the security agencies of beefing up security in and around sensitive places.

Security forces were caught napping?

The fact that majority of these weapon snatching has taken place either outside the residence of local politicians or security pickets set up to maintain tight vigil in and around camps of minority community. This shows the security forces were caught napping or they had lowered the guard to the extent they offered no resistance while the militants ran away with their service weapons from their pickets.

Rough estimates suggested more than 100 weapons of different make have been stolen/snatched by the suspected militants. Instead of recovering these weapons the security forces are clueless over the identity of the weapon snatchers.

Handiwork of local cadre?

Field reports so far suggested it is mostly likely the handiwork of local cadre and young recruits who have been roped in by the militant commanders but in the absence of weapons have been tasked to acquire their own weapons by looting security forces.

They are planning to go all out to recover these weapons besides neutralising the terrorists responsible for these acts. With the deployment of more and more security forces in rural pockets of Kashmir the security forces are trying to gain foot hold in the hinter land so as to choke their routes and block their movement to safer hideouts.

In most cases of arms snatching, the terrorists escaped taking advantage of the preoccupation of the local police, paramilitary forces and the Army in dealing with the unrest in the Valley. Absence of bunkers in the hinterland and in urban centres have also given them long rope to operate effortlessly. Now it remains to be seen whether in the coming weeks their numbers go up or the joint teams of security forces would be able to neutralise them to prevent mushrooming of home grown militants.