DANGEROUS MIX

How topography and cultural similarities with locals aid militants in Jammu's Rajouri and Poonch

- TARIQ BHAT

After the abrogation of Article 370, security forces and agencies like the National Investigation Agency and the State Investigation Agency probed scores of Kashmiris for alleged links with separatists and militants. Many were booked under the Public Safety Act, which entails a jail term of six months to two years, without bail, and the more stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. In many cases, the properties of those arrested were attached. The Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation have also acted against many for militancy-related crimes.

Such measures dealt a blow to the separatist movement and adversely affected the recruitment of militants. According to Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, militant recruitment has reduced to two digits—a record low. Moreover, militants have been restricted to targeting low-level police officers, minority community members and migrant workers. However, across the Pir Panjal mountain range that separates Kashmir from Jammu division’s Rajouri and Poonch districts, outfits like Jaish-e-Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Ghaznavi Force and People’s Anti-Fascist Front have stepped up their activities.

In the last three years, Rajouri and Poonch have witnessed a surge in infiltration by militants and weapons drops by drones, including improvised explosive devices and sticky bombs from Pakistan. The weapons were used to carry out strikes in Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu, and target security forces and political leaders.