Indian Army to score century in killing Militants in Kashmir Valley

Indian Army’s fight against terrorism is going to strike a century soon with close to 85 terrorists being killed so far this year in Kashmir valley. Security forces are working extensively to make Kashmir terror free especially after fidayeen attack carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) on CRPF convoy in which 40 jawans were killed on February 14 in Pulwama.

Security forces have been carrying out terrorists’ flush-out operation from Kashmir valley as they have killed close to 85 terrorists in 2019, which includes 35 members of JeM. If the trend continues, then by early June forces will score a century. The number of terrorists killed in 2018 was around 260, which is higher than in 2017 and the highest in a single year in the last eight years. Forces claim that this year they will set a new record.

In 2010, as many as 270 militants were killed in action by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. The number reduced to 119 in 2011. Then in 2012, 84 ultras were killed, 100 in 2013, 110 (2014), 113 (2015), 165 (2016) and 218 last year.

According to senior army officials, forces this year have not only killed conspirators of Pulwama attack but in the first four months have gunned down top commanders, recruiters and trainers. It may also be noted that in the air strike carried by Indian Air Force in Pakistan’s Balakot area several JeM terrorists were killed. 

A senior army official told MyNation that the real challenge in Kashmir begins now as the snow has started melting and the infiltration bid from Pakistan will shoot up. This has been the trend for the past several years. The official said that a long stretch of 20-25 kilometres of fencing on the bordering areas with Line of Control (LoC) is down due to heavy snow and now as the snow is meeting. This is the same area which is most vulnerable as terrorists in the past have used the same patch to get inside Indian territory. Keeping this in mind, forces have already taken measures to ensure no Pakistan trained terrorists gets inside Indian territory. 

Security forces are keeping an extra vigil as they have gathered report that elite Pakistani force is backing terrorists and trying to incite violence in Kashmir valley. Apart from regular troops, Pakistan has deployed its Special Services Group (SSG) commandos. They may attempt to carry out cross-border raids and ambush the Indian Army patrols.

Indian forces have also seen Pakistan's ill intention of abnormally high ceasefire violations across the border as distraction technique by keeping troops busy in replying to them and giving a cover to their terrorists to infiltrate. Post Pulwama attack Pakistan has continuously been doing ceasefire violation sometimes even more than 10 times a day. In retaliation, Indian forces were also giving befitting replies and managed to damage many posts and kill Pakistani soldiers.

With the onset of summer, ice has already melted in high terrain region, and some of the mountain passes are getting clear of snow, which is crucial for security men. So far Indian Army claims that they have been very successful in checking infiltration in the first four months of the year.

Source: My Nation