Srinagar, July 10: Militants killing a soldier and two policemen in separate attacks in south Kashmir last week has ruffled the security agencies with fresh strategy being devised to keep the militants at bay.
Highly placed sources told Greater Kashmir that following the latest militant strikes, a high level security review meeting was held here recently. “During the meeting it was decided that security across the Valley would be beefed up and militants won’t be allowed to move around freely,” they said. “The meeting expressed concern over the fact that militants have struck close to Srinagar-Jammu highway twice and once on the highway. Such strikes can prove dangerous in view of the ongoing Amarnath pilgrimage.”
An official of the Home Department wishing not to be named said that forces personnel have been asked to exercise restraint as “militants are trying to provoke the forces.”
“The first priority at present is to see that Amarnath Yatra passes off peacefully. Any untoward incident can have far reaching consequences,” the official added.
“Had the associates of policemen retaliated at Rajpora, Pulwama and Yaripora, Kulgam where two cops were killed, or had the soldiers opened fire after the attack on their colleagues at Pampore, situation could have taken an ugly turn,” he said. “We have to ensure that forces personnel remain alert in such trying situations.”
The official said that government has decided to put “stern security measures” in place and carryout surprise crackdowns to prevent militants from having a “free run.”
The official acknowledged that security checks and frisking do cause inconvenience to commuters but he was quick to add, “Government is not in a position to take any chances.”
Soon after the Pampore attack, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps, Lieutenant General Om Prakash had said that Army had exercised restraint while dealing with the situation. “The Army soldiers in spite of suffering casualties displayed utmost restraint and did not fire at the fleeing militants to avoid collateral damage to the people,” the GOC had said.
“Inimical elements are likely to fire upon forces in busy populated areas and incite them to open fire so that it could lead to death/ injuries to innocent civilians and cause collateral damage,” he had said.
Pertinently, forces have revived the practice of roadside frisking of commuters and crackdowns across the Valley. Force personnel have set up barricades at many places on Srinagar-Jammu highway while frisking and nocturnal raids in major districts of south Kashmir, including Pulwama, Islamabad (Anantnag), Kulgam and Shopian, have been intensified. Policemen on Monday and Tuesday carried out random checking of pedestrians at city centre Lal Chowk here - reminiscent of 90’s when militancy was at peak in the Valley.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST