‘Adversary took advantage of technology in Pir Panjal’
*Army Hqrs, Northern Command to monitor ops
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 13: Security agencies have stepped up focus on human intelligence while going ahead with use of technology even as the Army proposed to launch ‘Operation Sarvshakti’ on both sides of Pir Panjal range to finish off the terrorists in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch which have witnessed surge in terror attacks since last year resulting into martyrdom of 19 Army soldiers in four incidents.
“After technology took centre-stage in tracing the terrorists and Over Ground Workers (OGWs), dependence of security agencies on human intelligence had come down though it wasn’t completely over. However, the adversary too took advantage of technology in keeping locations of the terrorists’ secret. With terror activities rising in Rajouri and Poonch, the focus has been back on human intelligence,’’ the officials said.
While going ahead with use of technology, security agencies will keep human intelligence in forefront as it is being believed that they could provide more and accurate information about movement of terrorists, their activities and identity of those arranging food and shelter for them, they added.
Admitting that adversary too has taken advantage of technology to hide activities, they asserted that this was also one of the reasons for accurate targets and escape from the spot thereafter. Now, security agencies have realized this and it will no longer be possible for the terrorists to use it aggressively.
“Mobile telephones without SIM cards are also reported to have been used by the terrorists to avoid tracking of their location,’’ the officials said.
On the killing of three civilians following ambush of Army vehicles in which four bravehearts sacrificed their lives at Dera Ki Gali in Surankote tehsil of Poonch on December 21, the sources said though some officers have already been shifted, exemplary punishment will be given to anyone found guilty.
Meanwhile, the Army proposed to launch ‘Operation Sarvshakti’ soon in Rajouri and Poonch districts to eliminate terrorists hiding in Pir Panjal ranges and striking repeatedly at security forces and civilians.
“Operation Sarvshakti would be launched to carry out combined counter-terrorist operations from both sides of the Pir Panjal ranges where the formations of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps along with the Nagrota-headquartered White Knight Corps would be carrying out simultaneous operations,” the sources said.
Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, Special Operations Group, and the intelligence agencies would be part of ‘Operation Sarvshakti’ which would be aimed at freeing Rajouri and Poonch districts from the terrorists, most of whom appeared to be the foreigners.
The operations are expected to be on the lines of Operation Sarpvinash, which was launched in Hill Kaka in 2003 to eliminate terrorists in the South of Pir Panjal range.
The operations are being launched in close monitoring by the Army Headquarters and the Northern Army Command in Udhampur and were planned soon after Home Minister Amit Shah held a security meeting with all stakeholders including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army, intelligence agencies including both internal and external ones and police officials from UT and Central agencies in New Delhi on January 2.
Army has also started the process of inducting more troops in the Rajouri-Poonch sector
The security forces are also confident about the local support to thwart terrorism in the areas.
Sources said that despite provocation by terrorists to attack an Army vehicle in Krishna Ghati area last evening, the troops did not fire back as a lot of civilians were present there.
Nineteen soldiers have attained martyrdom in four incidents in Rajouri and Poonch districts since April last year while seven civilians were killed at Dhangri in Rajouri on New Year in 2023. Security forces have also eliminated 30 terrorists on both Line of Control (LoC) as well as hinterland in the two districts.
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