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| Foreign mercenaries trying to carve out hideouts in forest areas of J&K | | | Early Times Report
jammu, July 7: Is the Rajwar forest belt in Handwara subdivision in North Kashmir regaining its grandeur of being a safe sanctuary for militants, especially foreign mercenaries? This question has surfaced following a prolonged gun battle between the militants, hiding in a couple of houses and the security forces in the foothills of the Rajwar forest belt. During the last 48 hours, more than four militants, all of them suspected to be foreign mercenaries, were killed in the encounter in which four security personnel also suffered injuries.
If the reports with the State Intelligence agencies are to be relied on groups of militants have sneaked into the forest and hilly areas in north Kashmir from across Kupwara sector in recent weeks. These reports said that majority of these infiltrators have started carving out hideouts in the Rajwar forest belts in Handwara tehsil.
These reports said that the way two to three militants fought a deadly gun battle with the security forces in the Rajwar belt indicated that foreign mercenaries had carved out bases in the area. No doubt four to five militants were killed in the last 48 hours. Reports said that several groups of foreign mercenaries have forced their way into the forest belts.
Reports said that these foreign mercenaries were trying to carve out a safe sanctuary for them and those planning to infiltrate from across the LoC so that the Rajwar forest area turned out to be a granary for "supply" of militants and weapons to different areas in the State, especially in the Valley.
Knowledgeable circles recall the events that had converted the entire Rajwar forest belt as a free zone for foreign mercenaries between 1992 and 1996. During this period the security forces did not dared to enter into the "free zone" area fearing that any fierce exchange of fire with militants, who had entrenched themselves in the area, could result in heavy casualties of innocent civilians.
These circles also recall the way these foreign mercenaries avoided resorting to extortion and made suitable payment to the traders and other sellers for any food and other items they purchased from them. This had promoted cordial relations between the civilians and the foreign mercenaries. It was after foreign mercenaries started eliminating local militants that civilians cooperated with the security forces in "liberating" Rajwar forest belt from the occupation of the foreign mercenaries.
According to other intelligence inputs, groups of militants have, once again, started carving out hideouts in the forest belts in south Kashmir, in Doda-Kishtwar areas and in Poonch and Rajouri hillside belts. The idea behind this plan is to keep militants out of the firing range of the security forces while planning to target security convoys, pickets and political leaders besides Government installations.
These reports also have revealed that despite a recent agreement between the Pakistani Rangers and the BSF over the former's commitment to implement ceasefire on the LoC and the IB violations may take place simply for carving out passage for the infiltrators. It is in this context that the troops have been directed to foil any ingress bid at any cost.
Troops guarding the border have also been asked to remain vigilant against attempts from the militants at snapping border fence for which they have been provided with required kit.
Reports said that if the top Army authorities have opposed the demand for the lifting of the AFSPA, even in a phased manner, they have done so following receipt of information indicating regrouping of militants for the purpose of escalating the level of violence in Jammu and Kashmir. |
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