K D Maini
Bhata Durrian and its adjoining village like Sangot, Nar Ferozallan and Kari Gulluta in between the forest, bushy, inaccessible areas and torrential Nallas are strategically very important from security point of view. Firstly, the lifeline of Poonch i.e Jammu-Poonch highway is passing through these villages and forest areas. Thick forest of pine trees and disadvantageous terrain is suitable for enemy to strike and survive. During 1965 Indo Pak war, the Gazanavi force of infiltrators had blocked Jammu Poonch highway on very first day on 9th August 1965. Therefore, the Indian forces were daily chasing the enemy to open the road so that the military convoy and general traffic could pass.
Topi hill is located on top of Bhata Durrian at such a commanding place where from the whole Surankote valley upto Hill kaka, Mendhar Valley upto Darruchhian near the LOC and Manjakote Tehsil of Rajouri upto Pir Bedreshwar top are seen. This hill top was converted into the cantonment of Pakistani forces under the command of LT. Col. Hadayat Ullah when they had occupied Suran and Mendhar valley during the turmoil of 1947-48. From this very top, the foot route from forest areas leading towards Chamerar Gali, Dhera Ki Gali, Rattan Pir Pass on the top of Thana Mandi, Kuth Gali on the top of Darhal town and Kesri Hill in Kandi koteranka Tehsil of Budhal . This is where in latest encounter with terrorist on 5th May 2023 started and five Jawans of Para commando forces were martyred near the hideout of terrorist when they triggered a massive blast.
In between Rattan Pir to Kesri Hill and Budhal Pass from the southern side and main Pir Panchal range on the northern side, a vast un-administered and depopulated forestry and snowy area comprises of renowned Girjan Dhoke, Panj Tarni Merg and Valley of Seven Lakes upto Nandan Sar Pass (which opens toward Kashmir Valley) are located. In this big track, during summer season the Pharis and Tribal Families migrate with flock of sheep, heards of Goat, fleet of horses and cattle for few months and live in tented colonies or Dharas (Hut mints). During 1965, this area remained dominated by infiltrators where Pakistan was regularly dropping weapons and eatables to infiltrators. Bhata Durrian is a window opening towards this vast area and has an important significance from defense point of view. It is interesting to note that in the month of May 1990, the first ever terrorist attack took place in the village Nakka Majhari adjoining to Bhata Durrian where a local shopkeeper Nathu Ram Sharma was brutally killed by terrorist and after that other such incident, had taken place in Poonch Rajouri Districts.
A series of operations by security forces and J and K police was launched in Topi ridge from Bhata Durrian to Dehra Ki Ghali 40kms long track during 2020-21 onwards in which 9 army jawans were martyred. Initially on 11th October 2021 when the Jawans of Rashtriya Rifles were patrolling in Dehra Ki Ghali area, they were ambushed at Chamarar Ghali near DKG where 5 jawans lost their lives. Immediately after that incident a massive hunt against terrorist was started by the security forces and JK Police from Dehra Ki Ghali upto Bhata Durrian via forest routes. During this operation again security forces lost four Jawans. After that a major search operation i.e. one of the largest operation in J and K history of terror was launched by the joint team of security forces, RR battalions and JK Police from Rattan Pir pass upto Jaranwali Ghali which lasted for about three weeks without any encounter. However the search operations in Bhata Durrian forest continued.
This year on 20th April 2023, an army vehicle was ambushed by a group of terrorist in Bhata Durrian Village near Tota Ghali at such a mis-advantageous place where the speed of the vehicle reduces to almost zero. Five soldiers were martyred with China made steel coated bullets. Immediately after that IED blast was triggered and the vehicle caught fire while terrorist escaped from the site. After lot of struggle the security forces got specific input about the terrorists in a cave near Kesri Hill in Kandi Kotranka area of Rajouri. After full preparation, the security forces and JK police launched a manhunt on 3rd May 2023 in Pir Panchal forest areas upto Kesri Hill which is about 140 Kms away from Bhata Durrian. Therefore on 5th May morning from 7:30 am to 8 am security forces approached near Kesri hill Cave and when the Para Commando forces started Gun Battle, the terrorist triggered a massive explosion which resulted in Martyrdom of five Jawans and injury to one Major. After that explosion the terrorist escaped from the site. However next day one terrorist was killed by the security forces in that area.
The above incident and facts reveal that terrorist have a network of their sympathizers who are actively providing logistic support to them, helping them in hiding, providing them shelter, food and carrying their weapons and ammunitions, arranging transport before the incident so that after strike they could be shifted to faraway place. It also appears that they might be getting local support in surveying the area, understanding the terrain where to strike and working out the escaping routes through transport means or bridal paths, otherwise, it was not possible for them to strike at Bhata Durrian in Poonch District and take shelter in a cave in Kesri Hill Budhal which is about 140 Kms away from striking spot. As per the official reports 250 people of Bhata Durrian and adjoining villages were investigated and six persons have been arrested by JK police from Gursai village near the Bhata Durrian area who remained providing food, shelter and transport to terrorist.
Rajouri Poonch District between LOC and Pir Panchal range remained militancy free zone from 26 Nov 2003 till 2019, when on 5th August 2019 article 370 and 35A were abolished. After that Jehadi forces across the LOC again tried to revive militancy in J and K. Since Operation ‘ALL OUT’ launched by the security forces and JK police in Kashmir have changed the militancy scenario in Kashmir, it has become almost impossible for Jehadis to operate in the valley. Therefore, Pakistan selected Poonch-Rajouri District in south of Pir Panchal to strike. Since Pakistan was badly exposed in the world for Islamic terror therefore from 2021 onward Pakistani agencies adopted a new strategy to strike. As per reliable sources Pakistani Army have got all the banners and posters of JeM and LeT removed from POK area, imposed restrictions on these agencies and asked the terrorist to vacate their camps near the Loc and launching pads so that it could be shown to world that Pakistan Government have stopped Islamic Jehad.
Simultaneously, the ISI and Jehadi elements set up two new organization, under the new name of ‘People anti fascist forces’ (PAFF) and The Resistance front (TRF). These are the proxy umbrella organizations launched in place of JeM and LeT. Therefore PAFF and TRF are now claiming responsibility of all terror incidents on the plea that they are indigenous forces operating from within J and K to fight against so called Hindutva movement. These terrorist groups are supposed to get high level Guerilla warfare training of hit and survive. They are equipped with most modern and sophisticated weapons, getting help from drones and helicopters, sympathizers and over ground workers to strike at one place and immediately leave the site and take refuge in faraway forest area.
It is also said that this new terrorist strategy have been started by Pakistan in vast area of Pir Panchal range of mountain to compel India to withdraw some forces from Ladakh to Pir Panchal region so that Indian army pressure on China in Ladakh could be eased.
Bhata Durrian came into limelight firstly in 1814 AD during the first attack of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh who had intended to capture Kashmir. When Maharaja’s forces after prevailing Raja Sultan Khan of Bhimber and Raja Agar Khan of Rajouri moved towards Kashmir via Rattan Pir, they however were stopped by Behram Galla Sardar Zabardast Khan a land lord of Bhata Durrian Suran area. He was backed by Azam Khan the Governor of Kashmir. However after minor clash Zabardast Khan surrendered and became ally of Khalsa forces. When the forces of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh moved towards Pir Pass, Sardar Zabardast Khan and Raja Agar Khan of Rajouri deceived Maharaja and revolted against khalsa forces from back side. This act of Zabardast Khan created a lot of problems for Maharaja to fight with the army of Azam Khan the Governor of Kashmir from the front side and rebel Zabardast Khan and Raja Agar Khan from back side. In these circumstances Maharaja Ranjeet Singh called off Operation Kashmir in 1814. However in 1819, the son of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh namely Raja Kharak Singh assaulted Kashmir and defeated Zabbar Khan, the Afghan Governor of Kashmir. At this stage Maharaja Ranjeet Singh directed his Jarnail Ghulab Singh (who later on became the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir) to stay in Rattan Pir area for the capture of rebel Raja Agar Khan of Rajour. After a struggle of about 8 months Ghulab Singh succeeded in capturing Raja Aghar Khan from the house of Sardar Zabardast Khan of Bhata Durrian and presented him before Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. Maharaja was so pleased with this success that Ghulab Singh was appointed the Raja of Jammu in 1822 by Maharaja Ranjeet Singh.
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