Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 27: Militancy has spread to new areas in Kashmir valley this year which were regarded to be free of militancy till recent past and several local in these areas have joined the militancy since last year.
The big area of concern for the security agencies is the presence of militants in Dobjan forest area of Shopian which has made the Mughal road connecting Kashmir valley with Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region unsafe.
According to sources, there were no reports of any militant movement from the area around Mughal after its opening but of late there are frequent reports of militant movement from the area raising security concern.
Another area of concern is the Tangmarg area which is gateway to world famous tourist place of Gulmarg. In April this year, two security force personnel were killed in a gunbattle in Hardshoora area of Tangmarg in Baramulla district.
There are frequent reports of militant movement in Tangmarg area where two locals of the area have joined the militancy this month only, taking the number of local militants in this area to 5.
The areas which have become active recently are Pampore and Khrew in Pulwama district which is worst hit district in Kashmir valley. Security forces have recently launched several operations in Khrew and Pampore areas after reports of increased militant movement.
Anantnag town which is represented by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in State Assembly was militancy free but of late there are reports of militant movement in the town and so are from his home town Bijbehara. Only a day before, one person was killed and 5 others including a CPRF man was injured in a grenade attack on CRPF patrol party in Anantnag town.
There are also reports of militant movement from new areas of Kokernag and Srigufwara adjacent to tourist resort of Pahalgam and Kellar and Yarbal forests of Pulwama district.
According to security agencies, 39 youth joined militancy this year and last year the number of youth who joined ranks was 67. The local recruitment of militants had stopped after 1996 and mostly foreigners who were infiltrating into Kashmir were operating here. Army said the local recruitment is taking place after they tightened vigil along the Line of Control (LoC) and made infiltration difficult for them.
Reports said that militants are concentrating in South Kashmir and the numbers since last year are increasing. As per sources, around 10 foreign militants have shifted to South Kashmir in past one month taking number of foreigners operating in the area to 16.
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