Sameer Showkin Lone
Srinagar: In last over four months of Kashmir uprising the militant outfits are reclaiming their lost ground and it is believed that the Jasih Muhammad-Pakistan based militant outfit is also reviewing its base in the worst hit areas of the valley.
The revival of the militancy in the troubled border region is already perceived by the security and intelligence agencies but their significant presence may cause huge dent to the fragile peace.
Sources said that the active militant groups Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba have already penetrated in their strongholds while the lesser active JeM is making its way fast and motivating estranged youth to join their fold.
“The security agencies are worried that JeM may tap into the growing alienation in the valley,” said the sources.
While Lashkar and Hizb have been operating jointly over the past few years with the former focusing on operational part and the later on strategic and observational part, the Jaish-e-Muhammad, which according to sources is in revival mode, has started making inroads in sensitive areas.
Police believes that taking undue advantage of ongoing situation, JeM may recruit youth across the valley. The majority of its recruits hail from across the border who sneak into the valley and fight against New Delhi on behest of Pakistan.
The JeM is a constituent of United Jehad Council headed by Hizb Supreme Commander Syed Salahuddin, based in Muzafferabad.
“The rising militancy is already a matter of seriousness, but if Jaish manages to recruit local youth that could be a bigger concern,” said an army officer.
The Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit is led by Moulana Masood Azhar, who was released in exchange for the passengers of a hijacked Indian plane in 2000. The outfit appeared on the scene again after it claimed responsibility for an attack on an Army camp in Tangdar area of frontier Kupwara district early this year.
Azhar had already operated in Kashmir in early 1990’s before he was arrested in February 1994. Jaish-e-Muhammad was active in Kashmir between 1999 and 2004. (PTK)
