SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir police is suspecting a step-up in militancy in Kashmir valley in the wake of US president Barack Obama's visit to New Delhi early next month.
Soon after Malooru encounter wherein three Jaish-e-Mohammad militants were killed, Operational chief of Jaish-e-Mohammad militant outfit, Sajjad Afgani on Thursday last threatened that Army and other security installations in Kashmir would be targeted with fidayeen attacks. "For that we have made the beginning of Fidayeen attacks and for the purpose we have kept six militants ready," he had reportedly said.
A senior police officer said there were evidences on ground that Jaish and Lashker-e-Taiba were planning to operate jointly and share their resources to revive the lethal phase of militancy in Kashmir.
"As per credible reports, 100 cadres of Jaish, LeT, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen have sneaked into Kashmir through Gurez sector in August and September. 30 among them have been killed in different encounters in Gandebral and Bandipora districts while rest have established themselves in diff parts of north Kashmir," they said and added slain militants of Malooru encounter were among the group which had sneaked in recent months to this side of LoC.
A top police officer wishing anonymity said security agencies fear a major terror attack ahead of US President Barack Obama's visit to India early next month. "Despite Sajjad Afghani's claim that military installations were the target we fear attack on minority community in Kashmir ahead of Obama's visit. ISI wants to make headlines on Obama's visit and a major terror attack on minority community in Jammu and Kashmir can't be ruled out".
"Given the recent track record of Jaish they have not been able to carry any action against Army. Jaish was being considered as rouge element within Pakistani establishment after they carried fidayeen attacks on former Pakistani president Parvez Musharaf. However, Haqqani network of Taliban (believed to be behind on Indian targets in Afghanistan) has motivated ISI to reactivate Jaish," he said.
"Intercepts available with security agencies reveal that ISI and Jaish have reached at an agreement that Jaish will operate in Kashmir only and won't carry any attacks on Pakistani soil," he added.
The Times of India
