Peerzada Ummer
Early Times Report
srinagar, Apr 22: The security grid has set the alarm bells ringing over the new wave of radicalisation of youth Kashmir valley which after the hectic efforts of the government is not dying down at all.
The security agencies could be seen concerned about the new wave of militancy in Kashmir with locals finding the recruitment into the militant ranks easier than ever before.
The statistics being put forth by the Indian Army suggest that at least 63 Kashmiri youth, in the age group 17-25 years, joined militancy last year. The majority of them, 46, belonged to south Kashmir, 13 were from north Kashmir and four were from central Kashmir district of Budgam. In 2013, 31 local youth joined the militancy. There are, however, no statistics to prove locals joining militancy pre-2010 summer agitation. Militant organisations like Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad had recruited mostly foreign cadres, maximum being Pakistanis who infiltrated into Kashmir by crossing the Line of Control (LC) during the summer months.
Youngsters joining militant groups are a recent phenomenon and is becoming a cause of concern for the security agencies. It was learnt that till date there has been no improvement in the ground situation with radicalisation still looming large in the already volatile region of the state.
"This new crop of militants are tech savvy and are much aware about what is happening all around. They seem to be knowing it perfectly that what their fate is going to be if they choose to tread the violent path," said a police official, wishing not to be named. He added that though there are the measures being taken to get the boys back to the mainstream but the situation continues to remain worrisome.
The easy access to the internet and more latest communication tools, as per the sources, has played a vital role in making the situation more turbulent.
According to the latest reports, presently there are nearly 200 militants operating in Kashmir Valley. As per security agencies foreign and local representation in these groups is almost equal-something that wasn't seen before. Earlier the local participation used to be much lesser in number and more foreign militants used to have a day out.
Out of 63 young men who joined militancy last year, 17 were killed in various operations, 12 were apprehended and two surrendered. This year at least 14 have joined militancy in first two months. These include a police man, Naseer Ahmad Pandith of 11th battalion of Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police (JKAP), who was posted at the residence of Altaf Bukhari. |
