Must change strategy to tackle Jammu militancy: Hilkaka hero

Adil Akhzer

Srinagar, July 12

In 2003, when militants in large number infiltrated from across the border and entrenched themselves in the fortified bunkers on Hilkaka mountains of Pir Panjal mountain range in Poonch, Tahir Hussain, a Gujjar from Marrah village of the district led from the front as Army and police launched an operation. After an intense firefight as the Army recaptured Hilkaka, Hussain was called the ‘Hero of Hilkaka’.

Two decades later, with militancy witnessing an uptick in the region, Hussain says the situation is “serious” and “different” this time.

Security forces need local support

• Tahir Hussain, a Gujjar from Marrah village in Poonch helped security forces in 2003, when militants in large number infiltrated from across the border
• Militants had entrenched themselves in the fortified bunkers on Hilkaka mountains of Pir Panjal mountain range in Poonch
• After an intense firefight as the Army recaptured Hilkaka, Hussain was called the ‘Hero of Hilkaka’
• According to Hussain, militants presently have an “upper hand” in Jammu region and the need of the hour is to seek extensive support from locals

According to Hussain, who is in his 50s, militants presently have an “upper hand” in the Jammu region and the need of the hour is to seek extensive support from locals.

Over 40 soldiers have been killed in Jammu region in less than three years.

“We are in 2024 and not 2003. Situation is different now and it is more serious. Militants have changed their strategy and we need to change our strategies as well,” Hussain said.

In 2003, the Army had to launch “Operation Sarp Vinash” to flush out militants from Hilkaka mountains in Poonch’s Surankote, which eventually brought peace to Jammu region.

In the operation, which was division-size and involved seven battalions and two brigade headquarters, Hussain and a group of civilians also joined security forces against the militants. He worked as a special police officer in the village defence committee. At that time, locals played a huge role to win the battle against the militants.

Hussain, however, says, there is not much “connect” between the locals and the security forces now.

“As per my experience, the only way to win this battle is to take locals into confidence. Security forces are experts to deal with such situations, but my feeling is that without local support, we cannot win this battle,” he said.

He also said that the present lot of militants, who are hiding in the dense forests, are “hardcore militants” and the security forces need to be in “attack mode” instead of “defense mode.”

“They are trained and hardcore militants, may be ex-army men from Pakistan. It’s been months and they have been carrying attacks in the Jammu region, but we have not been able to neutralise them. So, to deal with this situation, we need a different strategy,” he said.

Hussain said he has been staying in Jammu for the last many days because he fears for his safety back home. “The present situation doesn’t allow me to stay in my village. So, for some time, I have come to Jammu,” he said.

The security agencies have launched massive operations since the past few weeks in the Jammu region. Hussain, however, says information is not reaching to security forces as informers are reluctant “because of fear.”

“Informers live in remote areas; they don’t live in urban areas. If a person passes on information, several agencies then grill that person, and it becomes public within no time. In the present circumstances, a person is reluctant to pass on information because of fear…so right now, the information flow is very less,” said Hussain.

As the situation has escalated in Jammu in the last few weeks, people like Hussain are now demanding that weapons and ammunition be provided to them. “People in border areas fear for life. We want weapons and ammunition to protect the villagers but no one listens to us,” said Hussain.

Hussain is not the only one making these demands. Ghulam Hassan from Poonch, a former Special Police Officer (SPO), who fought against militants along with Hussain, echoes the same sentiments. “Because of the existing situation, those who were at forefront against militancy in 2003 are taking precautions because there is a fear among people,” he said.

“There needs to be mutual cooperation between locals and security forces to end this problem,” he said.