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| Raised on pattern of SPOs, TA proving to be asset in tackling militancy in J&K | | | BHARAT BHUSHAN
JAMMU, Jan 4: Raised on the pattern of SPOs (special police officers), TA (territorial army) is proving to be an asset in tackling militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
When militancy was at its peak in the state, SPOs were engaged by police to break ultras' local network. The idea worked well, as on the basis of their valuable inputs, forces got success in eliminating several militants and apprehending their sympathisers.
Informatiion comes to them first because they are mainly posted in the areas they belong to. It would not be wrong to say that recruiting a SPO from a village is like recruiting the whole population of the area.
After the successful police experiment with SPOs, army thought of raising TA. Locals are recruited in it with the idea of increasing the flow of intelligence from borders, and villages and towns.
"TA Bns have so worked on the expected lines," an army officer said and added, "They are proving to be an asset in tackling militancy in J&K."
To substantiate his point, he said when two infiltrating militants were spotted at Hiranagar in Kathua last year, it were TA jawans who had first reacted to the situation and rushed to the spot. "As they operate in and around their villages, they soon reach the spot close to their area of operation and keep militants engaged in gunfire till the arrival of regular troops, or police," he added.
The officer said after TA jawans started patrolling certain border pockets and militancy-infested areas here, accurate intelligence started flowing fast from there.
Like SPOs, TA jawans too have personal rapport with people. "Since they are known to all in their village, or town, people prefer to inform them about the movement of suspects," he added.
In Rajouri and Poonch too, TA has proved to be beneficial in countering militants and intelligence gathering.
"Terrorism has caused terrible damage to the innocent people of J&K. Precious lives have been lost in the mindless violence and growth has been adversely affected. As a result, job opportunities are less and unemployment is rampant thus adding to the miseries and frustration of the people, especially the younger generation. Having no work at hand, several J&K youth joined militant cadres. But as time passed, their disaffection with the foreign mercenaries grew due to varied reasons and many of them surrendered and joined the national mainstream. They later formed a counter-insurgent group called Ikhwan," the officer said.
To control militancy and address problems of the people, army evolved a novel initiative of recruiting these Ikhwanis, local youth and surrendered terrorists into TA. The concept was designed to accrue a number of benefits. The first and foremost was generation of employment that would wean the youth away from the influence of militants. The second was to provide protection to those who had shunned the cult of gun to join the mainstream. The third was to give an opportunity to the sons-of-the-soil to not only protect their villages from militants but also look after and assist their parents and families.
Accordingly, seven TA battalions were raised in 2002-03. Recruitment for these battalions was done from a large array of militant infested districts across the state, including Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Jammu, Baramulla and Kupwara. The battalions comprised of troops enrolled from the area where they belonged.
"The basic task of the battalions is to assist security forces in the conduct of counter- terrorist operations. This apart, they provide valuable inputs on the civic amenities that the region requires for its development. They not only recommend projects for Operation Sadbhavna but also work whole-heartedly towards their implementation," he added.
He said the response to this initiative was overwhelming and the result was much beyond the expectations.
"TA's biggest contribution has been and continues to be provision of real time intelligence which helps forces to launch target specific operations. It has, since its inception, earned one Shaurya Chakra (posthumous) and two Sena Medals (gallantry) amongst other awards," the officer said. |
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