The Terror Claims

Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad claims credit for attacks, tries to raise profile in Valley. But is there a revival?

- Asit Jolly

 A powerful explosion on the morning of January 6 killed four J&K police personnel deployed for crowd control in Sopore’s Gole Market, ahead of the call for a shutdown by Hurriyat separatists. Shortly after, the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the Pakistan backed terror outfit that carried out the 2001 attack on India’s Parliament, claimed responsibility for what was the first use of an IED (improvised explosive device) in the Kashmir Valley since 2015.

Coming soon after two terror strikes, including the New Year’s Eve suicide attack, where five CRPF personnel were gunned down at their heavily fortified camp in Leth pora (Pulwama), it would appear that the outfit has significantly stepped up operations in the Valley.