Union Home Minister Amit Shah has emphatically called for a robust intensification of counter-terrorism operations and the complete eradication of the terror eco-system in Jammu and Kashmir. During a high-level security review meeting in New Delhi, Shah specifically emphasised the need for “appropriate deployment” of security forces in vulnerable areas, with a special focus on Rajouri and Poonch districts, which witnessed a surge in terror attacks in 2023, resulting in the martyrdom of 19 soldiers in four incidents. There is no panacea in the relentless fight against terror. The sole pragmatic strategy that bears fruit is unwavering consistency-persistently unmasking terror modules and promptly annihilating them upon detection. Terrorists and their sympathisers exhibit a callous disregard for human lives, necessitating that security forces adopt a mindset aligned with the ruthless nature of those they confront. Each terrorist incident leaves a trail of barbarism, underscoring the imperative for a relentless pursuit of eradication. The hard-earned lesson from four decades of battling terrorism is crystal clear: there is no room for complacency. The terrorist ecosystem, akin to a deeply rooted cancer, must be excised comprehensively; any lapse will inevitably result in its resurgence. The recent escalation in Poonch and Rajouri serves as a stark reminder that the battle against terrorism is not over yet.
Four attacks on security agencies, resulting in the martyrdom of 19 soldiers and civilian casualties within a year, highlight areas of grave concern. Despite the passage of months, the situation remains as volatile as it was at the beginning of 2023. Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces assert that approximately 30 foreign terrorists enjoy the support of a few locals, necessitating the formulation of a strategic approach. The pivotal task is the severing of local support, with the Jammu and Kashmir Police holding a paramount role in monitoring overground workers (OGWs). Every wing of the JKP and other security forces operating in the region must execute their roles with precision. Once the local support is curtailed, the task of eliminating foreign terrorists becomes more manageable.
Strengthening the security apparatus at vulnerable points is the second critical aspect. The multi-layered security cover, comprising Village Defence Committees (VDCs), local police, army, and paramilitary formations, forms an extensive network. The government is prepared to deploy additional troops, placing the responsibility on the local security setup to devise a strategy for a decisive assault. The JKP and district administration must sustain the pressure by exposing sympathisers and seizing their properties. A robust deterrent must be established to make sympathisers acutely feel the consequences.
The Home Minister’s unequivocal support for the security agencies sends a clear message: there will be no compromise on the terror front, and it must be eradicated at any cost. The upcoming days are pivotal, as terrorists and their cross-border handlers may seek soft targets to instigate trouble in light of impending elections. Panchayat and local body elections are due, and so are parliamentary elections. The government’s directive is unmistakable: there will be no concessions in the relentless pursuit to end terrorism. Over time, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have adroitly sharpened their tactics to strike at the core of this malevolent force. In collaboration with other security agencies, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have successfully altered the trajectory of events at other places in the region. The current approach is singularly focused on obliterating even the faintest remnants of terrorism from the landscape. Not only are the perpetrators targeted, but their sympathisers also find themselves ensnared in the legal quagmire, with their properties rightfully seized. Various separatist organisations, including Jammat-e-Islaami and factions, stand unequivocally banned with stringent UAPA sanctions. The government has unambiguously declared an all-encompassing war against terrorism, extending its reach wherever the roots of this menace are discernible.
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