NEW DELHI: Taking note of the rise in infiltration into Jammu & Kashmir by terrorists from Pakistan, and the possibility of some of the sophisticated weapons left behind by US troops in Afghanistan finding their way into the hands of Jaish-e-Muhammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba fighters in J&K, the Centre has decided to tighten the border grid.
A review meeting, chaired by home minister Amit Shah here on Thursday, also discussed the need for an upgrade in the weaponry of the Indian forces responsible for tackling terror infiltration in the near future. The meeting — attended by J&K LG Manoj Sinha, NSA Ajit Doval, Chief of Army Staff M M Naravane and heads of central para-military forces like BSF and CRPF, J&K Police and intelligence agencies — saw Shah share a detailed assessment of issues related to both security and development fronts.
The concerns largely relate to a rise in infiltration, particularly increased presence of foreign terrorists in north Kashmir and future impact of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in the light of its close ties with ISI and its protege terrorist outfits. The assessment is that while the rise in infiltration may not be directly related to resurgence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, it could be part of a more “aggressive strategy” by Pakistan’s ISI to create trouble in Kashmir in the days and months to come, by pushing in more Jaish and LeT terrorists.
While no immediate impact of Afghanistan events is expected in Kashmir, there are concerns about some sections in J&K viewing Taliban takeover as “victory of Islamist forces” in the neighbourhood and using it to fan radical sentiments among locals.
According to sources, the uneventful anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5 and celebrations of Independence Day in J&K this year, with no curbs on internet or movement of people, were seen as indicators of normalcy in the UT which might now face renewed challenges.
Another indicator of normalcy were the high tourist arrivals into J&K this year, surpassing the figures of past several years. While 10.5 lakh tourists visited the UT in July this year, the number in August was even higher at 11.22 lakh. Sources said while infiltration has gone up in the last two months as compared to the months soon after Indian and Pakistan forces entered into a ceasefire pact in February, it is still less than last year. “Even local recruitment is lower this year as compared to 2020,” a senior government functionary told TOI after the meeting.
As part of the development review, the meeting noted with satisfaction that 17 central schemes had reached 100% saturation in the UT. Also, the meeting was apprised that the J&K industrial policy had so far brought investments totalling Rs 25,000 crore into the UT, of which Rs 12,000 crore was for Kashmir region.