Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 7: The Centre has alerted defence and para-military forces all across Jammu and Kashmir for ‘hot summer’ along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) with Pakistan following ‘specific inputs’ about Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militants, who were gearing up for infiltration into the State. The alert has named certain specific infiltration routes along both LoC and IB, which could be exploited by the militants for intrusions.
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi is expected to hold high level review of the situation along the borders and hinterland on militancy front as well as arrangements for annual Shri Amarnath ji pilgrimage with top brass of Jammu and Kashmir very soon.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Army, Border Security Force (BSF) and other para-military forces have been alerted by the Centre particularly about threat emanating from the JeM outfit headed by Masood Azhar, whose cadre have suddenly increased their presence both along LoC and IB on Pakistani side with a view to infiltrate during an opportunity.
“The JeM was not only planning to revive the terror outfit in Jammu and Kashmir, which was virtually defunct in many parts of the State, but was also trying to repeat January 2 like Pathankot attack by targeting military establishments after pushing the militants,’’ they said, adding that majority of Jaish cadre vying for infiltration into the State were Pakistanis.
Pointing out that the summer in Jammu and Kashmir could be “hot” from the infiltration and militancy point of view, sources said the troops have been asked to remain “extra cautious” to ensure peaceful summer, which was possible only if the infiltration was kept to bare minimum.
Soon after opening of the Civil Secretariat offices in Srinagar on May 9 after remaining closed for about 10 days due to shifting of the Darbar offices from winter to summer capital, the Union Home Secretary was himself expected to hold high level review of the situation along borders and hinterland with top brass of the State.
Sources said the Centre has asked the security forces including para-military and police personnel to strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) while carrying out operations against the militants to avoid law and order problem by the civilians.
According to sources, the Union Home Minister would issue separate advisory for security forces for annual Amarnath ji pilgrimage, which always remained on radar of the terrorists and was this year starting on July 2. The Yatra would continue till August 18 coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.
The Centre, sources said, wants smooth conduct of the pilgrimage and would give the State Government as many additional Central para-military forces it required for safety and protection of the pilgrims right from Lakhanpur to holy Amarnath ji cave in South Kashmir Himalayas.
Sources said the State police would draw up separate strategy for security of Amarnath ji pilgrims after few days during which it was likely to seek additional Central forces from the Home Ministry, the number of which would be almost equal to what had been given last year as it feels that elaborate security arrangements were in place for the yatra in 2015 also.
Sources said Army and BSF, which were manning the LoC and IB respectively in Jammu and Kashmir, also had reports of large militant presence on Pakistan side of the border. The militants were equipped with heavy arms, ammunition and explosives and were searching for an opportunity to sneak into this side of the State, they added.
However, they said, Army and BSF were maintaining very high alert to ensure that the militants didn’t succeed in their designs.
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