Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 22: Based on Intelligence inputs, Dr Jitendra Singh, BJP National Executive Member & J&K chief spokesperson, said here today that there is a definite pattern indicated by the renewed spate of terror attacks in the State over the last two or three months.
Dr Jitendra Singh also expressed concern over sudden rise in the number of security force casualties as a result of these attacks. Quoting figures, he said, the first half of this year has already seen more number of security force casualties than the whole of last year and when this phenomenon is contextualized with increasing attempts at cross border infiltration over the previous year, the heightened levels of violence can be seen in perspective.
Referring to Intelligence reports regarding the ISI engaging religious clergymen to provoke unrest and communal strife at a time when local support to foreign sponsored militancy is visibly declining, Dr Jitendra Singh said the July 18 incident when a BSF contingent, gheraoed by a violent crowd, was compelled to open fire at Dharam in Gool-Sangaldan area also raises the vital question as to whether the incident was triggered by the rumour alleging desecretion of the Holy Quran by BSF personnel or was it instigated by a calculated design.
Presenting a chronology of recent terror attacks, Dr Jitendra Singh said, on June 24, a Rashtriya Rifles convoy was attacked on the main road passing through the area of Hyderpora, a township, almost midway between Badgam and Srinagar. The ambush site lies on National Highway (NH) 1A, which is considered the lifeline both for the maintenance of Kashmir Valley and security forces deployed in the area, he explained and said this led to the inference that it looked like a pre-planned operation executed with precision resulting in the death of eight soldiers and injuries to many more on the eve of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir the very next day.