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15 years on, terrorism rearing its head in Jammu again
At the peak of militancy, Jammu region had witnessed selective killings and massacres, but the violence had been consistently waning since 2004-05, with stray incidents reported once in a while
While Kashmir remains the hotbed of militancy, the relatively peaceful Jammu region has also seen a resurgence in terror activities this year.
At the peak of militancy, Jammu region, comprising 10 districts, had also witnessed selective killings and massacres. However, the violence had been consistently waning since 2004-05, with stray incidents reported once in a while.
After the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A on August 5, 2019, there was a thaw in terror activities for a year. However, terrorism seems to have picked up momentum yet again.
Former director general of police SP Vaid, who also served as the inspector general of police for Jammu region, said, “Jammu is definitely seeing a resurgence in terror activities. Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, wants to disturb Jammu because of the religious pluralism of the region. For instance, if there is a grenade attack in Kashmir and 10 civilians are injured then there is a backlash on terrorists in the Valley. However, Jammu has a mixed population.”
“The recent terror attacks are proof that Pakistan is putting all its efforts to revive terrorism in Jammu region,” said Dr Vaid. Since January, terror activities have been witnessed in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Jammu, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Samba and Kathua districts.
Pak does not want BJP strengthening its foothold in Valley: Ex-DGP
“A new security threat has also emerged in the form of drones along the 200-km international border from Kathua to Akhnoor. Drones are being used to drop arms, IEDs, drugs and money. Tunnels are also being dug to push terrorists in Jammu. ISI has ‘contacts’ in Jammu region and it has started reactivating them besides harnessing new ones to de-stabilise the region,” the former DGP said.
“Following August 5, 2019, Pakistan failed to create disturbances in Kashmir so it is trying to create chaos in Jammu to sabotage the political process initiated by the Centre so that Pakistan can claim that there is no democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.”
On political killings, especially of BJP leaders and functionaries, Dr Vaid said, “Pakistan does not want to see BJP strengthening its foothold in Kashmir. Therefore, Pakistan has launched a vicious campaign against the BJP in Kashmir.”
Intelligence inputs say there my be more intrusion bids: DGP Dilbag Singh
Director general of police Dilbag Singh said, “After the February 25 ceasefire agreement between the two DGMOs, infiltration had come down to zero and there was no cross-border shelling either. However, unfortunately, terrorists have been infiltrating into India, especially from the Rajouri-Poonch sector”.
“Recently, there were three encounters in Rajouri sector — Daddal in Nowshera, Sunderbani and Pangai in Thannamandi. All these were fresh groups. Intelligence inputs suugest the infiltration has resumed and more such intrusion bids are likely to follow,” he said.
