The Tribune Exclusive: Ultras planning targeted killings to disrupt J&K poll, warns Intel

Nearly two weeks before the first phase of the J&K Assembly elections is conducted on September 18, the Centre is planning to review and upgrade security in the UT, with focus on the contestants.

The move follows intelligence reports on terror groups planning to carry out targeted killings. Attacks could also take place on poll officials and security forces. Highly placed sources told The Tribune that inputs had been received about terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizbul Mujahideen and Al-Badr looking to activate their over-ground workers for the killings.

The sources said the attacks were being planned from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The terror outfits are learnt to be making efforts to send across arms to their over-ground workers in J&K. Explosives were also being arranged through these operatives. Shopian and Budgam in Kashmir, and border districts of Kathua and Samba in Jammu are said to be highly vulnerable.

In view of the recent spurt in attacks on the security forces, especially in the Jammu sector, the security of election officials and the candidates is likely to be beefed up. The 198-km-long boundary from the Punjab border to the south bank of the Chenab, which is manned by the BSF, is likely to witness enhancement of security. Sources said 16 battalions of the BSF were currently deputed in this area and reinforcements were likely to be sent soon. In June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah had reviewed the J&K security during meetings in Delhi.