SRINAGAR: The last few days have seen a change in the militant strategy in Kashmir valley. Despite a massive crackdown by the police and paramilitary forces, the morale of the militants far from being broken is said to be extremely high.
The militants seem to have changed their strategy. The hit and run attacks have been supplanted by concerted attacks. Last weekend the fierce battle on he Nalla Mar road here lasted well over 8 hours. Ina full scale attack over 100 militants belonging to 4 different groups took part using machine guns and other sophisticated weapons.
The exact number of casualties among the security forces is not known. Reports however, alledge that 3 senior officers who were heading the paramilitary forces, had to scurry for cover. The security forces were attacked from behind by the militants so that the cordon was broken.
Despite the encounters there are indications that public support for the militants has grown. While 200 houses and shops were gutted near Kawdara last weekend the next day the militants launched a fresh offensive against the security forces on the Nalla Mir road Noor Bagh. This led to alleged arson by the security forces in which 31 houses were gutted.
The militants had to pick up guns after Indian security forces resorted to ruthlessly killing innocent civilians
Article extracted from this publication >> October 19, 1990
