Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 17: Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag today called for strengthening Anti-Infiltration and Anti-Militancy Grids in Jammu and Kashmir amidst reports that the militants, backed by Pakistan, were trying to take advantage of Kashmir unrest to infiltrate into the State and strengthen their positions even as he called for checking spilling over of militancy to hitherto peaceful Jammu region and radicalization of youth in some areas.
The Army chief’s visit here gained significance as he covered several areas including 25 Div Rajouri, Romeo Force in Rajouri-Poonch, Delta Force Headquarters at Dharamkund, which controls three erstwhile districts of Doda including Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban and Uniform Force Headquarters at Reasi. Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Rajouri and Poonch districts have, of late, witnessed some reaction to Kashmir unrest recently though the militancy related incident has only been reported in Poonch district, where a grenade was thrown on Shri Budha Amarnath ji pilgrims on August 13 in which 18 persons were injured.
Sources told the Excelsior that Gen Suhag, soon after his arrival at 16 Corps Headquarters at Nagrota from New Delhi, was closeted with Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda and 16 Corps chief Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar during which he reviewed the situation prevailing in entire Jammu and Kashmir. Lt Gen Hooda had undertaken extensive visit to Kashmir on August 14 and inter-acted with most of the local formation Commanders for assessment of the situation. He gave detailed briefing to the Army chief.
“The Army chief was of the view that the militants could try to take advantage of prevailing unrest in Kashmir to infiltrate into the State and strengthen their positions before onset of winter,” sources said, adding” in this context, he stressed for further strengthening Anti-Infiltration and Anti-Militancy Grids in the State.
Sources said various aspects of Kashmir unrest came up for detailed review at the high level meeting of the Army Commanders including role of the troops in present scenario. It was observed that para-military CRPF and police were dealing with the protesters while troops had acted only as per requirement, or, wherever their convoys and installations were targeted by the youth.
There have been reports with the Army that Pakistan was trying to exploit Kashmir unrest to its advantage by increasing infiltration attempts on the LoC in Kashmir to increase number of militants in the Valley, which had earlier decreased considerably. The recent targeted attacks on Army, BSF and CRPF also figured in the meeting. While a CRPF Commandant was killed on August 15 at Nowhatta, Srinagar, two Army personnel and a police jawan were killed today.
While Army has already moved two battalions from Jammu to the Valley few days back, it reviewed whether any further deployment was required there for strengthening the Security Grids.
Sources said the Army chief’s visit to all major formations in Jammu region including 16 Corps at Nagrota, 25 Div and Romeo Force headquarters at Rajouri, which cover both border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, Delta Force Headquarters that covers Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban districts and Uniform Force Headquarters in Reasi was aimed at taking first hand assessment of the situation prevailing in entire Jammu region.
Asserting that radicalization of youths in some parts of Jammu was one of the major issues that figured at the high-level Army meeting, sources pointed out that the Valley unrest spill over to parts of Jammu, which albeit was confined to particular day of the week, was also discussed but Army officials were of the view that it was being tackled by the para-military forces and police effectively.
According to sources, the Army chief would give his detailed assessment of situation prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as the Centre was concerned about prolonged unrest in the Valley, which was about to complete 40 days and has already led to death of 66 civilians besides leaving over 6000 injured including 3000 para-military and police personnel.
Meanwhile, Eastern Command chief Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, who was here in connection with Regimental function at Akhnoor, also joined the Army chief in the security review meeting.
Lt Gen Bakshi is among the front-runners for the post of Army chief when Gen Suhag will attain superannuation on December 31 this year.
Meanwhile, Defence spokesperson (MoD) Col SD Goswami said the Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh, accompanied by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda visited various formations of the Nagrota based White Knight Corps to review the prevailing security situation.
Col Goswami said the Army chief was briefed by Lt Gen RR Nimbhorkar about the preparedness of White Knight Corps in dealing with the emerging and dynamically changing security situation and the measures taken to thwart any misadventure by the inimical forces.
The Corps Commander highlighted the measures adopted to counter any infiltration through employment of an effective counter infiltration grid backed by synergized surveillance and intelligence backed operations, he added.
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