JAMMU: Even as the security situation along the Line of Control and the International Border continues to remain comparatively peaceful, the terror handlers sitting across Pakistan have been concentrating on mounting ‘lethal’ strikes against the Indian armed forces in the hinterland.
The recent ambush of army convoy in Pampore is an indication of the malicious mind-set of these inimical forces bent upon keeping the ‘terror pot’ boiling.
Previously the attack on Nagrota based army camp was also masterminded with the same objective of inflicting maximum casualties on security forces and pushing the army on the back foot.
According to security experts, after the Indian army changed its strategy and hit back at the Pak army along the LoC by launching ‘punitive’ strikes, the Pakistan Army and ISI decided to step up violence in the hinterland in South Kashmir by directing terrorists to target vital installations and security forces.
Operational commanders of the Army and paramilitary forces were now redrawing their strategy to counter new threat by strengthening counter-insurgency grid in the hinterland.
Fresh security audit of some of the vital installations has been ordered by the army commanders of 15 and 16 corps headquarters in Srinagar and Nagrota in the run up to the Republic Day celebrations. The State police Chief and heads of Central Paramilitary Forces are also in constant touch with each other to strike a synergy.
The objective behind beefing up defences is to deny terrorists a free run and gain an upper hand. With the loss of over 60 soldiers, the Indian army cannot afford to lose more of its men in terrorist operations as it may affect the morale of the forces. According to official sources, as heavy snow along the LoC in South and North Kashmir had blocked all the ingress routes, nearly 200 terrorists, hiding in these regions, were now expected to foment trouble in the hinterland and the Pampore attack was one such wake up call.
In the last fortnight at least seven encounters with terrorists in various parts of South Kashmir is keeping most of the formation commanders on their tenterhooks as they are already anticipating prolonged and “hot winter” season ahead.
Given the fact that snow blocks infiltration routes during the winter, the Pakistan Army was keen to keep the LoC quiet for the time being and rely on the terrorists inside Kashmir Valley to keep the “pot boiling,” sources said. Determined to take revenge for surgical strikes by the Indian Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on September 29, the Pakistan Army is unlikely to back off.