Amid attacks in Jammu region, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chairs key meet

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 14

As the Jammu region continues to face attacks by Pakistan-origin terrorists, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday convened an important meeting to review the military-related steps taken to secure the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Among those who attended the meet at the Ministry of Defence headquarters at the South Block included National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma.

Ahead of the Independence Day, the air defence units – tasked to shoot down any aerial targets – have been put on alert along the western borders. In Jammu and Kashmir, a high alert has been sounded ahead of Independence Day to ensure public safety.

In the National Capital, snipers will be in place near the Red Fort where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unfurl the national flag. Specialised air defence units will encircle the area to ensure against any flying threats.

In recent months, Jammu has seen an increase in terror attacks, including an assault on an Army convoy in Kathua and skirmishes in Doda and Udhampur.

Last month, Indian Army troops foiled an attack by the Pakistan Border Action Team (BAT) along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district’s Machchal sector. The skirmish resulted in the death of one Pakistani intruder and one Indian Army soldier, while four others, including a Major-rank officer, were injured.

The Indian security apparatus is of the view that those involved are not the regular terrorists as they are trained in Army tactics like hiding, ambushing and targeting the unprotected face of troops. The terrorists could be ex-soldiers and are here as mercenaries.

The terrorists hiding in the dense jungles are not the ‘Fidayeen’ who would engage with the Army or security forces. “The tactics to hide in jungles is typical of highly trained soldiers who can survive for days without contact with the outside world,” a functionary said.

The terrorists could very well be mercenaries who are Pakistan Army ex-soldiers and are here to “keep the pot boiling” and have operated in similar terrain on their side. The terrain in Jammu region is riverine and the boundary with Pakistan has many rivulets that are in spate in the monsoon, allowing opportunity for infiltration.