NEW DELHI: Recovering from the setback of elimination of total 173 terrorists in Kashmir valley this year by the Indian security forces, Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is all set to push as many militants in the valley for destabilising the law and order issues, with the onset of winters.
A Defence source said, ”With a large number of militants already dead, the ISI will give a final push to the terrorists into the Indian territory. There has been a sharp dip in foreign militants this year.
So, they (ISI) will infiltrate them in the winters.” A total of 173 militants have been killed by the security forces in North as well as south Kashmir in 2017, so far.
Last year, the number stood at 130. Similarly, 30 militants have been apprehended so far this year, in comparasion to 25 last year. Around 200-215 terrorists are still present in north Kashmir, while 30-40 are in hideouts of south Kashmir.
These include 60 per cent locals and 40 per cent foreigners. ”In spite of the Army carrying out intense operations in the valley, which has resulted in killing of so many terrorists, the local recruitment is still continuing. So far, 80-90 locals have been recruited in the state,” a Defence source said.
Earlier, the new recruitees were trained beyond the borders and then sent back to the valley. However, the trend has changed nowadays, with the militants being recruited and trained locally.
As per the source, the newly-recruited terrorists were not able to survive initial encounters, since they lacked the level of stringent exercises they were given beyond the borders.
Meanwhile, the Army, BSF and state police are maintaining a tight vigil into the area, so that infiltration bids can be nipped in the bud. (AGENCIES)
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