Jammu, the new crucible for terrorists

Subhasish Mitra (Wide Angle)

With preparations on to hold Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, there has been a sudden spurt in terror attacks in the Union Territory, especially in areas falling under Jammu division, prompting the security machinery to pull up its socks.

 

Amid the spate of terror attacks, 1992-batch IPS officer Nalin Prabhat will succeed incumbent RR Swain - a 1991 batch IPS officer - who is set to retire on September 30 – as the top cop of J&K.

 

Prabhat, who was Director General of National Security Guard (NSG), was moved to AGMUT cadre first, and then within twelve hours it was announced that he would be the next Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police.

 

Prabhat, who brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement, particularly in conflict-prone areas, has a major task already cut out for him – holding the Assembly elections peacefully.

 

His appointment displays the seriousness with which the Union Home Ministry is addressing the security situation in the region.

 

The rise in terror activities has not gone unnoticed by the central government.

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened a high-level meeting to address the growing threat. The meeting, attended by key officials including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, focused on devising strategies to counter the escalating violence.

 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reported to the Lok Sabha that 28 people, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in 11 terror-related incidents this year alone, up to July 21. This sharp rise in violence brings to the fore the challenges faced by security forces in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

 

The recent encounter in Doda is part of a larger pattern of increasing terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir. The death of Capt Deepak Singh is a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by security personnel in their relentless fight against terrorism.

 

The terrorists involved are often well-trained and equipped, with reports indicating that Pakistan-based groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) have been pushing militants into the region. The Pir Panjal range, which stretches from Poonch to Doda, has become a critical route for terrorists attempting to infiltrate into Kashmir from the Jammu side.

 

The surge in terror attacks in the Jammu region, south of the Pir Panjal range, has sounded an alarm among security agencies. Ground observations suggest a strategic shift by Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, diverting its focus from Kashmir to Jammu.

 

After the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, increased military presence and enhanced security measures in Kashmir have made it challenging for Pakistan-backed militant groups to operate in this region.

 

Last month, nine soldiers, including an Army Captain, died in terror attacks in Doda and Kathua districts of Jammu region.

 

Five militants were also killed by security forces and police in two separate encounters in Kathua’s Saida village and Doda’s Gandoh area on the intervening night of June 11-12 and June 26 afternoon, respectively.

 

According to police, these militants have been moving in the upper reaches of Doda, Udhampur and Kathua districts. Police and security forces have launched massive combing operations from all sides to trap the militants.

 

While upholding the abrogation of Article 370, the Supreme Court had last year directed the Election Commission to hold Assembly elections in J&K by September 30, 2024. The Union Territory has 90 Assembly constituencies.

 

Jammu and Kashmir has not had Assembly elections since 2014 and had no Assembly since it was dissolved in 2018. The upcoming elections would be the first in 10 years and the first since the state was split into two Union Territories – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh – in 2019.

 

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announced that voting will take place for 90 seats in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18, September 25 and October 1.

 

Jammu and Kashmir has 87.09 lakh voters, including 42.6 lakh women, across 90 constituencies; and voting will take place across 11,838 polling stations, CEC Kumar said while announcing the poll schedule.

 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has welcomed the announcement of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election and said the polls will further strengthen the roots of democracy and open the doors to a new period of development for the region.

 

Jammu and Kashmir units of the Congress and the CPI(M) too welcomed the announcement of the assembly polls by the Election Commission and said people were eagerly waiting for the restoration of democracy in the Union Territory.