JAMMU: Setbacks and arms, ammunition shortage have forced the Kashmiri militants to keep the pot boiling by making selective rocket attacks on strategic buildings.
June 22nd’s Civil Secretariat attack, the second in two months, is part of the militants” plans to keep national and international media attention focused on their activities and to demoralize government employees who have for four long years withstood their pressure and kept the Civil Secretariat functioning.
Though there was no casualty in Tuesday’s attack unlike last month when one employee was killed, it sent shock waves among the lower section of the administration. Observers feared that the employees may distance themselves from militant outfits while others say it may lead to the return of employees of Jammu from Srinagar who are already kept in heavily guarded hostels in Srinagar.
1990, the first year of recorded incidents, saw only 45 rocket attacks, which increased to 162 in 1991 and 105in 1992. During the current year, the militants have already made about 34 rocket attacks al many strategically placed buildings. These attacks have not caused major damage,
During rocket attacks, the militants have the advantage of remaining in hiding and can make an easy getaway.
The Civil Secretariat attack evoked strong reaction among various circles, including the employees and the general public.
The spokesman said a large number of government employees” organizations have conveyed their protest at the attack and asked these militant outfits to desist from such attacks which can only harm the innocent employees and endanger their lives.
Referring to the increasing alienation of the militants from the general public, the spokesman said this could be gauged from the reaction of the Kashmir Motor Drivers’ association, Srinagar, to repeated grenade attacks outside their location. The association warned the militants to desist from such moves in crowded areas as these only harmed the innocents.
Article extracted from this publication >>July 2, 1993
