JAMMU: Tension prevails in Doda, 200 km from here, which witnessed a five-hour-gun-battle between Kashmiri militants and security men, While army has been withdrawn from the township, paramilitary contingents continue to keep vigil on militants who created panic recently.

Officials do not rule out fresh attacks by militants, 300 of whom 4re reported to have returned from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. Moreover, there are 500 locally trained militants moving around Doda district. They often go to Kashmir valley to participate in joint actions against the Indian forces. According to reports, more than 200 of them have died in Sopore area alone,

S.S. Wazir  IGP Jammu told The Pioneer” that efforts are on to flush out militants from Doda, but it is a difficult task as they hide in dense jungles. Mostly members of Hizb-ul Mujahideen, Ikhwan and JKLF are active in Doda.

The July 18 operation in which three security men were killed and five officers were injured appeared well conceived for not a single militant was killed or arrested.

Militants had positioned themselves at vantage points before security men surrounded the house of a forest guard in the heart of Doda town. Women prevented the guards from going in saying only young girls were inside. Later, they said militants would soon Surinder.

But no sooner than a few women came out of the house and an advance raiding party entered the first floor, grenades were hurled at them killing Sub Inspector Vijay Singh and Head Constable Rao on the spot. Five other CRP men and police officers following them were injured.

Finding themselves trapped, militants fired from the neighboring houses and helped their colleagues escape without casualty. The house caught fire which soon spread to seven other houses and 20 shops. Army was called in to help restore order, Curfew was imposed for 36 hours.

According to Wazir, 24 persons were picked up for questioning. Two sons of the house-owner and the militants, however, are still at large. The task of the authorities becomes even more difficult as local people do not cooperate with them,

Although curfew has been lifted now, the township wears a deserted look. Doda is most vulnerable of the six Jammu districts because of its proximity to militant-ruled Anantnag district where Jamaat-1 Islami and its armed wings hold sway.

Wazir disclosed that the attack by pro-Pak militants could have been thwarted but the security forces did not want to repeat the mistake they made in Ghatt area where four members of a family, including two children were killed when security men retaliated to militants firing,

He has no doubt that in the coming days militants would strike again in Jammu province, For, the reports are that ISI has   directed the militants to intensify their struggle for Islam. Besides, militants now, under continuous pressure from security forces in the Kashmir valley want to open a new front in Jammu to have respite.

With snow melting on many power peaks, crossing the mountain passes has become easier. If Kashmir becomes a difficult zone for the militants, they can easily move over to Jammu plains. Other vulnerable areas of Jammu, where militants reportedly have their hideouts, include Gool Gulab Garh, Mohar, Banihal, Kishtwar, Batota, Sunerbari, Poonch, Rajouri, Khore, Kanachak and Kathua border area.

Jammu police have by and large been successful in restraining militants from spreading their network in the region. Recently, when Shartal Devi idol was lifted, police recovered it in less than 20 days.

What is needed to keep Doda peaceful is continuous political activity in the district, according to the police chief. He wonders as to why senior National Conference leaders like Bhaderwahi, kicklo, Mastfaridi and Maulana Saurawardhy do not advise the party rank and file against growing militancy in the hill district.

Article extracted from this publication >> Aug 7, 1992