Pakistani Rangers have been resorting to unprovoked firing this summer mostly in Jammu region along International Border in RS Pura sector and along LoC in Poonch-Mendhar sector. Its tacit purpose has been to facilitate infiltration of terrorists. Knowledgeable sources have computed the strength of armed jihadis awaiting infiltration at around 800. Maybe a few of them have succeeded in sneaking in. But by and large, infiltration of sizeable numbers has been thwarted by our vigilant border security force. The vigil will continue with full intensity. We give them a matching reply.
However, LoC in Kashmir had remained calm while IB in Jammu was made live. Is there a change in the pattern of infiltration, we do not know. But in all probability, the mentors of infiltrators from Pakistani side wanted to pave the way for infiltrating jihadis to move into the safe hideouts in Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban belt wherefrom it becomes safer and easier for them to operate in South Kashmir valley. Infiltration bids from LoC in Kashmir have become increasingly difficult for the jihadis owing to counter-infiltration measures adopted by the security forces. Now that winter has set in, it will be difficult for the infiltrators to sneak into the Valley owing to cold and snow over the passes in the high mountains unless some of them are hiding on our side of the LoC in some safe hideout.
In recent Pak firing in Kamalkote sector of Uri front in the Valley, one JCO and one 17-year old girl Gulshan Banoo of Kamalkote village are reported to have got killed while Gulshan’s mother has been seriously wounded and is hospitalized in SKIMS, Srinagar. The incident of firing in Uri sector has happened after a long spell of silence and no firing along the LoC. Army spokesman says that unprovoked firing by the Pakistani troops was to provide cover to the infiltrators. Whether there has been infiltration in the course of this exchange of fire or not is not known so far. The second reason for opening fire in Uri sector seems to be the fact that very soon all passes leading to the Valley will close as there will be heavy snowfall and trekking would become almost forbidding. Earlier also, jihadis have been making such forays of infiltration and have met with stiff resistance that forced them to withdraw and regroup if they could. Today, our security preparedness along the LoC is much more improved, elaborate and stabilized than at any earlier time Pakistani side is aware of this.
But apart from what has been said, the real reason for resorting to unprovoked firing in Uri sector at this point of time seems to be the beginning of a series of ventures to disrupt impending elections to the Legislative Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir. The schedule for elections has been announced by the EC and preparations are underway to complete the democratic process of forming a new Government in the State. As elections draw near, we should expect more infiltration and firing incidents along the LoC and the IB. Our security forces are fully prepared to meet any challenge and work in any conditions. Pakistan should remains rest content that she will get a befitting response to every nefarious move she makes during the next few weeks when Kashmiris are going to participate actively in the democratic process of electing a new legislative Assembly and a popular Government. We have been giving the proof of our determination to uphold democratic process in J&K State and allow the people full freedom of choosing their representatives and their Government. We are aware that Pakistan is frantically trying to rake up Kashmir issue at international level and at domestic level as well. It is trying to divert the attention of her people from the acute crisis with which it is beset at home. Frustration is the hallmark of the Pakistani State as of today. It is also true that taking cue from Tehreek-i-Taliban-Pakistan’s terrorist adventures in Waziristan and KPK, jihadis of terrorist organizations like LeT and JM deployed on Kashmir front are gradually going out of control for their handlers. Being the frontline force of Pakistani army, as pronounced by the army itself, these jihadis have become not only lawless but also defiant. We should not ignore that new phenomenon unfolding itself before our eyes.
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