Relentless operations conducted by the Indian army has significantly reduced ‘shelf’ life of local terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir in 2018.
Compared to previous years these days average shelf life of a newly recruited militant has come down to 3-6 months.
In very few cases a militant is surviving for more than six months after joining pro-Pakistan terror outfits in Kashmir valley.
Lack of training of these local recruits and real-time intelligence gathering by the different wings of security forces is leading to surgical operations in which these terrorists are getting neutralized.
The trend started changing on ground zero in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
On an average, the security forces take less than one hour to finish their operations. The reason, poorly trained terrorists are not able to match the firepower of security forces and also lack tactical skills which are required to engage security forces for a longer duration.
Only in few cases, especially in thickly populated areas, the security forces take extra time in neutralizing these holed up terrorists.
Secondly, level of resistance displayed by the local population of the area plays its part in delaying the operations.
In some cases, the local population has even come forward to escort holed up militants from inside their hideouts and escorted them to safety.
The trend started changing after the killing of Burhan Wani.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has seen many terrorists who survived for long years before getting neutralized.
The trend started changing on ground zero in the aftermath of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
After his killing in July 2016, over 400 local boys have filled ranks of various militant outfits across Kashmir valley.
It is learned that a majority of them were killed even before receiving formal weapons training in terror training camps.
Lack of weapons training resulted in poor resistance during gunfights with the security forces.
Majority of these young boys came from worst affected districts of Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama, and Anantnag in South Kashmir.
Since January 1, 2018, an estimated number of over 250 militants have been gunned down by the security forces in the state.
These local boys were radicalized by the local militant handlers and encashed anti-India sentiments prevailing against the Indian security forces during largely attended funeral processions of slain ultras.
According to senior security experts, “on an average 4-6 local boys are shortlisted after every funeral procession of a local militant and out of these at least 2 join rank and file of these militant outfits and pick up guns”.
Since January 1, 2018, an estimated number of over 250 militants have been gunned down by the security forces in the state.
Majority of these militants were local militants. According to security forces, only a handful of them killed along the line of control were foreign militants, hailing from Pakistan.
Close scrutiny of profiles of local militants, killed during brief encounters with the security forces, have revealed a very disturbing trend.
Security forces are working hard to stabilize the situation ahead of Lok Sabha/Assembly polls
With the recent successes achieved in the fight against terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, the security establishment is confident of stabilizing the situation for the first time in five years.
After obtaining the final nod from the security forces, the Chief Election Commission is expected to announce the poll schedule.
The top brass of the Northern Command has clearly indicated that the tempo of operations against terrorism will continue even during the harsh winter months with the hope that it may create the possibility of holding Assembly elections along with Lok Sabha polls.
After successfully eliminating top commanders of different terror outfits the security forces are expecting to firm their grip over the security situation in most disturbed areas of South Kashmir.
According to a recent assessment of different security agencies in the state, there are still over 250 terrorists who are active in the state and out of these over 110 are foreign terrorists.
According to these reports since January 1, 2018, this year over 190 new recruits has joined the terrorist ranks this year.
Last year 128 locals had joined terror outfits for the entire last year.
Security experts claim even though the number of new recruits was higher this year in comparison to previous year, that could not deter security forces and their elimination in early stages had neutralized the security situation before taking an ugly turn.
In the coming weeks, the security forces are expected to brief the state government agencies about the prevailing security scenario and give their assessment reports about the possibility of holding free and fair polls in the state peacefully. After obtaining the final nod from the security forces, the Chief Election Commission is expected to announce the poll schedule.
Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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It goes to show that with less political involvement and more concerted effort by the most respected Indian Institution, the India Army, everything is possible. India needs a change simply because India just cannot function the way it is now because of the sheer waste of Indian intelligence and talent. Indian pride and dignity has been confiscated by a few who for far too long have deprived the very essence of this Indianness, that of Being Hindu. A revival seems inevitable and even those who are minority would soon find out that living a life under the Hindu would be far superior then even under their own “Minority” majoritarianism. Hindus are the only fair people in the world as their basis of teaching is freedom of thought and expression. There is no Kafir, blasphemy, heaven or hell for a chosen few. Its about Dharma and Karma; the greatest known revealed concept for all humanity. Kashmir would return to being a paradise if under Hindu rule.
What could probably be the trade off between Sheik Abdullah and JL Nehru, for accession and Article 370?