Intelligence inputs suggest that a plan was afoot to forge a coordinated network to strike in a big manner in the two states.

Reliable Intelligence sources said that the ISI organised a meeting between Paramjit Singh Punjwar, chief of Punjwar faction and Bilal Beg, chief of Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front (JKIF) to finalise the tie up at Sialkot in Pakistan recently. It is learnt that the meeting was chaired by an important functionary of the ISI, Major Mukaram Shah, who coordinates the militant activities in the Jammu area.

Based on Intelligence inputs, it is learntthat Shah had expressed his displeasure over the failure of Neeta faction of the KCF to carry out subversive activities in Jammu and adjoining areas in Punjab and had initiated the move to rope in Punjwar group for the task. ``They (ISI) are trying every possible option to strike in a big way. And since Punjwar is reported to be having good local contacts both in Jammu and Punjab, he has been picked up for the assignment,'' an Intelligence official revealed.

Officials said the recent seizure of arms consignment in Hiranagar area by the police had indicated that the `work' had begun as the consignment was believed to have been brought in by members of the Punjwar faction. Inspector General of Police, Jammu province, Kuldeep Khuda confirmed that the revival of Kashmir-Khalistan nexus had been initiated by the ISI. ``Since they have failed to strike here in a big manner, they were trying to revive the nexus in an attempt to carry out their activities in a more forceful manner,'' he said.

Officials pointedthat what essentially contributed to the denting of the operations of Neeta was the fact that almost all important Jammu-based operatives of his faction had been nabbed by the police. ``The security agencies on numerous occasions scuttled Neeta's plan by timely seizure of weapons and apprehension of men,'' an officer said. Besides, the agencies had a complete dossier on Neeta, his men and their activities facilitating the operations against him (Neeta).

But, with the new tie up with Punjwar faction, officials were bit perturbed as Punjwar was known to be a `cunning' operative and there were inadequate inputs on his men operating in Jammu. ``Even though we have some of his men, very little is known about the important members of his faction,'' officials admitted.

Alarmed at the emergence of this new tie up, the security agencies in Jammu were seeking assistance from their counterparts in Punjab to negate the disadvantage of inadequate information about Punjwar. ``We are coordinating with Punjab Police toscuttle any revival plans,'' Khuda claimed.

Officials said that though the timing of the new tie up might suggest that the plan was to strike on the Republic Day, he pointed out that the new arrangement had been initiated keeping in view long-term benefits. ``It is certain that since the R-Day is round the corner, the new option could give them an idea about its efficacy. But we do believe that the tie up is on a long-term basis,'' an Intelligence official said.