Against the backdrop of the Uri attack, the Centre had directed security forces to put in place a five-layer anti-infiltration grid along the Line of Control and International Border with Pakistan. Besides, the security forces were also asked to identify and eliminate top commanders of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed operating in Kashmir “within a fixed deadline.” The directions came from Home Minister Rajnath Singh during a high-level meeting chaired by him on the prevailing security situation in the Valley along with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and senior officials from various ministries and security agencies. At that time also Home Minister had stressed on the need to plug the loopholes along the LoC and the IB which were being used by the militants to sneak in. Overall infiltration has shown a spiraling trend thus giving the impression that borders are still porous and there are some weak areas from where Pak-supported infiltration is still possible. Even recently a Parliamentary Committee which was reviewing the security status of defence installation too has talked on the same line to plug the loopholes wherever it exists. It is believed that more than 100 terrorists have managed to sneak in despite the fencing and vigil by security forces after the 2016 July disturbances following the killing of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani. Apart from strengthening the anti-infiltration mechanism, the Centre had also directed security forces, particularly the army, to launch a massive offensive against militant commanders. Such type of action was sought even after the Pak-trained terrorists struck at Pathankot Air Base. The Centre at that time also assured to set up a committee to review security preparedness of important defence installations across the country. Now once again Lok Sabha elections are going to take place before the ‘hot summers’ are going to set in Kashmir Valley making the security apparatus vulnerable to terrorist attacks which for Pakistan and its forces is the easiest way to keep India engaged. Hizbul Mujahideen has asked people to pelt stones in Kashmir in the name of Islam and not Azadi. This call has been just opposite of the ideology till date people held with them because for them ‘stone pelting’ as tutored to them was to get Azadi from the Indian occupation of Kashmir. With such contorted ideology it looks once again summer is going to be hot this time also in Kashmir Valley.
