Parts of Kashmir valley will be ushering in the holy month of Ramzan on a ‘violent’ note
In the last 24 hours ‘hot pursuit’ approach adopted by the Indian army jawans has already resulted in the killing of 10 heavily armed intruders and terrorists along the line of control and in the hinterland.
Among them was Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, a close aide of poster boy of Hizbul Mujahideen Burhan Wani.
After Burhan Wani’s killing in July 2016 Sabzar was heading the operations on behalf of Hizbul Mujahideen. He was on the radar of the security forces for a long time. Late last night he was tracked down by the security forces after receiving a tip off about the presence of at least three militants in Tral area of Pulwama.
After establishing the first contact with the terrorists the security forces tightened the cordon. In the ensuing gunfight Sabzar was killed along with another local militant identified as Faizan Ahmed.
Six intruders were neutralised by the Indian army along the line of control in Rampur sector of Baramulla, while two BAT terrorists were eliminated by the Indian army in Uri sector on Friday.
Tensions sparked off in different parts of Kashmir Valley
Soon after the news of killing of Sabzar Ahamd Bhat spread like wild fire fresh tensions sparked off in different parts of kashmir valley.
More than one dozen incidents of stone pelting were reported from different parts of Kashmir valley in which over 50 people were injured. The students of various educational institutions across the Valley left their classes midway and taken to the streets at many places chanting pro-freedom slogans.
The district authorities in Srinagar have decided to impose strict restrictions for next 48 hours and is set to impose curfew in troubled torn areas of downtown Srinagar to prevent large assembly of local residents.
Similarly district administrations in several other district headquarters of Budgam, Ganderbal, Anantnag, Baramulla, Shopian, Pulwama and Kupwara have imposed restrictions on assembly of more than four people under section 144 of CrPC.
Internet services suspended once again
Amid heightening tensions and clashes, the state government agencies saturday suspended Internet services partially to restrain the “spread of rumours” and use of social media to provoke violence.
The suspension of the Internet came a day after the State government lifted a month-long ban on, at least, 22 social networking websites.
The Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission also postponed the written test for Compulsory Paper-III of J&K Civil Service (Judicial) Competitive Examination-2017 which was scheduled to be held on the 28th of May.
Hot pursuit to continue
According to senior army officers of Srinagar based Chinar corps headquarters, BAT attacks and infiltration bids are likely to witness an upward trend in the coming days ahead.
Lt Gen JS Sandhu, GOC of 15 CORPS headquarters said, “terrorists are training along side SSG commandos of Pak army across different training camps and are likely to launch fresh attacks inside the Indian territory”.
Speaking to a TV reporters shortly after two terrorists, members of PAK army’s BAT team were eliminated on Friday, Lt Gen Sandhu said, “we are regularly observing their movement along the line of control and prepared to deal with them effectively”.
On the question of rising incidents of stone pelting at the encounter sites Lt Gen Sandhu said, initially we were caught off guard when it all started last year. He said at that time we were not including law and order component. Only army and Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel of state police were carrying out cordon and search operations. He said now we have started taking CRPF and state police along to tackle stone pelting mob and other distractions.
He claimed the stone pelters are being tackled effectively on ground zero and not being allowed to adversely impact operations against the terrorists.
He said we are gradually increasing our visibility in the troubled areas of South Kashmir to restore peoples confidence.
Referring to the ongoing tourist season and annual Amarnath yatra the senior army officer clarified not many people in Kashmir valley want situation to escalate. He said last year common people suffered on all fronts, They want to live in peace and we are determined to restore peace in the region by carrying out hot pursuit to neutralise active foreign and local terrorists in the region.
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The approach of the Government is right; it’s striking while the iron is hot.
Like in most situations, there are only 2% rogue elements who instigate and intimidate people and buy support of liberal intelligentsia and create a feeling that the Government is losing out. ‘Winning the hearts’ is a stealthy phrase used by such liberal intelligentsia.
Separatists have their way not because they have won the hearts of the people, but because people are frightened; so, the hearts of the aam aadmi are already won by the Government; they just want to lead normal and peaceful lives.
Just that the Government should give the impression that they are on top of the situation, and give the confidence that they won’t let things return to the bad old ways. Now is the right time to take charge.
Hot Pursuits aided by ‘latest satellite technology’, ‘detection devices’, ‘target specific combat devices’
should be continued till Pakistan realizes that ‘proxy wars’ using intruders to bleed India won’t work anymore.