JAMMU: A major operation is being launched in the Kashmir Valley in the last week of January to crush militants and to recover their arms and ammunition. According to sources the operation will be simultaneously launched in all the districts in the Valley. Adequate security forces and the army have been rushed to these places in advance for the Purpose.
“The authorities have reportedly rushed about 50 companies of Para military forces and a special division of the army to augment the strength of the forces already existing in the Valley. Some trained divers with sophisticated equipment have also been sent for to assist in recovering the arms hidden in Lakes Rivers and marshes.
Sources say the operation has been timed for winter because the cold conditions lessen the mobility of fleeing militants and give tactical advantage to the authorities improved system of intelligence. During the operation arrested militants will be used for securing information about militants” hideouts in villages and about the places where arms have been dumped. Helicopters are also going to be used in the operation the sources add.
About 2500 Pakistan-trained militants have been infiltrated into groups last month from Qazinag in Uri sector according to sources. Militants are reportedly using for inflation several routes that are yet to be plugged. One such route is the Sharda hilly tack in Kupwara district and it is being used frequently by militants. Besides there is no vigilance on Kackwa Gali (pasture land) Arms training camps are still functioning in remote villages in the Valley militants have disconnected these villages from the outward world by setting fire to the link bridges.
The operation in the offing has been preceded by several special operations resulting in bulk recovery and seizure of arms and ammunition and the arrest and flushing out of militants including some dreaded ones. These operations have enabled the security forces to draw the maximum information about the networks of the major outfits in the Valley.
These operations were followed by Operation Goodwill which was launched last December with a view to provide medical care and healing to the people in the Valley. State governor G.C. Saxena has asked the forces to provide facilities to the people where the state administration has no access. Expenditures up o Rs 10000 for the Purpose can be billed to the state government.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 31, 1992
