JAMMU Massive turn-outs in South Kashmir for militant funerals in recent months have alerted the security agencies about the growing support of militant commanders and their clout among the local population.
Though the demonstration of mass sympathy during militant funerals is not a new phenomenon in Kashmir, security agencies are particularly worried about growing number of local youth joining militant ranks of different outfits with top officials describing it a worrisome trend.
Well placed sources said that with every militant death public participation is only growing and that is cause of concern for the security agencies and the political establishment in Delhi.
Thousands of mourners joined funeral of three slain militants of Hizbul Mujahedin in Bijbehara, the home town of Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed last week. The entire area was on a spontaneous protest shutdown for the third consecutive day on Thursday.
The level of public participation in these surcharged funerals have alerted the security agencies about the growing clout of these militant commanders among the local population.
Growing number of local militants joining ranks of different militant outfits has caused deep concern. The local militants, now house hold names thanks to social media networks, are considered more like our boys than their predecessors who were barely known outside their locality.
Senior army officers posted in Kashmir valley have been expressing serious concerns on the issue and are finding ways to tackle the issue on ground zero to prevent revival of militancy in the strong holds.
These officials said, on condition of anonymity that the Indian army has ordered an internal security audit of the vital installations ahead of the peak winter season.
Following an audacious fidayeen strike on an Army camp in Tangdhar area of North Kashmir, the security grid has been alerted all along the state of Jammu and Kashmir with a clear diktat to remain in a state of high alert to prevent repeat of similar strikes on vital Army installations in the coming days, they said.
Three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militants were killed by the army personnel in a long operation in which one senior officer and one JCO were injured while one MES employee succumbed to his injuries during the fatal attack.
The fidayeen, as always targeted the army camp early Wednesday morning amid dense fog. They lobbed grenades to gain access inside the camp. Swift action by the army guards and quick reaction team contained the militants from going berserk inside the army camp.
The high alert was sounded along the most vulnerable Jammu-Pathankot highway as well as the same is dotted with several army camps and residential quarters of armed forces.
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