tribuneindia... Jammu and Kashmir

J A M M U C
& CK A S H M I R

Thursday, August 13, 1998

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Mast Gul re-enters
Jammu and Kashmir
JAMMU, Aug 12 — Has Mast Gul, an Afghan war veteran instrumental in the destruction of the historic shrine of Sheikh Nooruddin at Chrar near Srinagar in 1995, re-entered Jammu and Kashmir? This question is bothering the security agencies which have alerted the Army, paramilitary forces and the police, directing them to remain vigilant against the Afghan guerrilla.

Reports with government agencies reveal that Mast Gul has recently re-entered the state from Poonch Sector which recently witnessed a series of encounters between the militants and the security forces. These reports, however, do not mention about any agency or person having spotted the Afghan guerrilla who laid a siege of the shrine at Chrar and managed to cross over to Pakistan.

The sources said news about the re-entry of Mast Gul into the Jammu region has been selectively leaked to top militant leaders in Kashmir who have started getting active.

Since Syed Sallahuddin, chief of the Hizbul Mujahideen, continues to camp across the border and Ali Mohd Dar, deputy supreme commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, has been eliminated in an encounter with the security forces, there is no militant leader to guide the insurgents. This shortcoming may be filled by Mast Gul.

Reports say despite the fact that Mast Gul is a suspect in the eyes of the ISI, his re-entry into Jammu and Kashmir may have been prompted by the latest developments on the border in which foreign mercenaries, especially those from Afghanistan, have taken in hand the ongoing proxy war between India and Pakistan.

However, others are of the opinion that the ISI may not venture to send Mast Gul back to Kashmir as his escape from Chrar in 1995 had raised many an eyebrow in Islamabad. In 1996 the then Pakistan Government had issued instructions to the government-controlled print and electronic media not to publish or telecast Mast Gul's statements and speeches after his public announcement on his exploits in Kashmir caused embarrassment to Islamabad.

Islamabad's attempt to hold the Indian security forces responsible for the destruction of the historic shrine was nullified by Mast Gul's speeches and statements.

The security agencies are of the view that in case Mast Gul has managed to cross into Jammu from Poonch Sector, his presence may boost the morale of the militants and different areas in Jammu and Kashmir may witness a further step-up in militant activities.