Jammu protests give militants a window

According to figures compiled by the security agencies, only 160 infiltrators managed to cross the Line of Control to date in 2008 as compared to a total of 310 subversives the previous year. Even though the state has been on the boil since the Amarnath agitation started on June 29, cross-border infiltration has not increased in these two months.

Infiltration figure in July 2008 was 58 as compared to 61 in July 2007, which indicates that there has been no increase in the number of militants entering the state through either the LoC or the international border with Pakistan. The figure was 86 in August 2007 as compared to 45 this month, though the number of militant attacks has been high-profile with large casualties.

A top security force official explained these attacks by saying the militants have become active in the past two months, exploiting the political sentiment in the Valley and diversion of para-military forces from the CI grid to basic law and order duties. The fact is that as many as 50 per cent of the para-military forces had been redeployed in law and order duties as a result of which the CI grid was weakened.

The spurt in militant attacks like the fidayeen after the hostage situation in Chinore on August 27 near Jammu, according to security forces officials, shows the terrorists are out to destabilise the CI forces. Although the same number of militants infiltrated during July-August 2007, they remained passive due to heavy CI deployment and better political climate.

With the talks between the Government and Shri Amarnath Sangharsh Samiti nowhere near fruition as part of the UPA government’s plan of not provoking the separatist elements across the Pir Panjal on account of Amarnath issue, the Home Ministry is seriously considering plans to push in more security forces, particularly in Jammu, so that CI grid does not get disrupted.