Security forces on alert after intel reports warn of terrorists in Jammu

Arjun Sharma

Jammu, January 24

The Army’s Northern Command and the J&K Police are on high alert ahead of Republic Day and keeping their eye on areas close to the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch in Jammu division.

Ex-Pak soldiers?

• Intelligence sources said terrorists operating in Rajouri and Poonch might be retired Pakistani soldiers as recent ambushes on Army convoys were well planned and carried out with the help of snipers
• There are indications that terrorists active in the Jammu division may have established deep-rooted contacts with overground workers who help them in camouflage against security forces and carry out attacks on them

As there are reports that there are at least 20-25 active terrorists operating in the region, the security forces are leaving no stone unturned. GOC-in-C of Northern Command Lt General Upendra Dwivedi also visited areas in Poonch and interacted with the soldiers and officers.

“Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Army Cdr Northern Command visited Battalion deployed in hinterland in Poonch sector for operational review. A comprehensive briefing was carried out by ground commanders on prevailing security situation, including new methodology being adopted to strengthen the security of the area,” an official spokesperson for the Army said.

The Army commander emphasised on executing operations with utmost professionalism and remain steadfast against all challenges. He also reviewed the need based projects initiated by the Army for the development of local community.

Operations against terrorists are continuing in Poonch after an attack on Army convoy on December 21 last year in which four soldiers were killed. Army Intelligence has learnt that the terrorists behind the attack had received commando-style training in Pakistan before entering the Indian territory. The group of ultras is believed to be Pakistani.

Sources in intelligence informed that terrorists operating in Rajouri and Poonch may also be retired Pakistani soldiers as the way in which they are executing ambushes is not an ordinary task. Two ambush on vehicles – one on April 20 (in which five soldiers were killed) near Bhimber Gali and other on December 21 in Surankote took place last year in Poonch. On May 5 when special Para commandos of Army were searching for the perpetrators of April 20 ambush, an IED was triggered by terrorists in Kandi forest area of Rajouri killing another five soldiers.

Intelligence has also learnt that during the ambush, a group of snipers with latest weaponry keep an eye on surroundings. These snipers keep themselves hiding in forest area around the ambush site. Both the ambushes on Army vehicles in Poonch took place in forest area.

While the security forces are sweeping the forest areas in Rajouri an Poonch, there are indications that the terrorists active in the region may have deep-rooted contacts with the over ground workers who help them in camouflage against security forces. The police are also working to strengthen the intelligence network which weakened due to a continuing era of peace till 2021 when terror acts started to occur.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force along International Border (IB) in Kathua, Samba and Jammu district is also on high alert. Regular searches and patrolling are being carried out along the border to check cross-border tunnels and infiltration by Pakistani ultras.

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