Rediff On The NeT: No ordinary militants these, says army


	HOME \| NEWS \| REPORT

August 13, 1999

US EDITION
COLUMNISTS
DIARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ELECTIONS
ARCHIVES

Search Rediff

No ordinary militants these, says army

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

Senior security officials say the latest strategy adopted by militants in Jammu and Kashmir -- direct attack on army camps -- is among the most serious developments there in the last 10 years.

"It does not appear to be the handiwork of ordinary militants. We have not seen such ferocity and determination in the attacks in the past. They are definitely working to a plan," said Major-General R K Kaushal, general officer commanding the Victor Force, stationed in the valley.

"There is always a spurt in violence (in August). We knew this year that they would try to intensify their attacks," he continued. "But we will tackle them".

J&K Director-General of Police Gurbachan Jagat said some 1000 heavily armed mercenaries had infiltrated into the valley during the Kargil conflict. In fact, during an earlier press briefing, he had even demanded a probe into "how such a large group managed to cross over when 60 battalions of the Army were guarding the Line of Control."

Reports from Jammu region too point to the fact that there's a major anti-India operation on in the troubled state. Many militant groups, each of 25-50 strength, have been spotted on the mountains there. There are also reports of militants roaming freely in various areas of Kupwara in Kashmir.

Whether the reports are true or not, one thing is certain: the hit-and-run tactics that the militants used to resort is over. Now they fight pitched battles to the end -- a fact that the commanding officers of the units that came under attack recently admit.

Incidentally, the state police blame the spurt in violence on the withdrawal of nearly 60 army battalions from the state. These were sent to the border, to fight the Pakistani intruders. As replacement, the Centre had rushed nearly 20 battalions of the Border Security Force and Central Reserved Police Force. Five Special Services Bureau battalions and several Rashtriya Rifles units also arrived.

However, they failed to plug the gap left by the Army -- and, say police officials, it is this "thinning of forces" that is responsible for the trouble now.

"We will control the situation soon," Major-General Kaushal assured, "My only restriction (to the forces) is that no innocents should be harmed while we respond."

Asked if he faced a shortage of troops, the general said, "I must say that every commander wants more forces, but the thing is to make the best of what we have."

Tell us what you think of this report