Jammu: Around 40 Pakistani terrorists are believed to be present in the forested mountains of Jammu region after their infiltration over the past few months and an elaborate plan has been worked out by the government of India to eliminate them.
Terrorists among this bunch have been responsible for the series of attacks on the security forces and civilians in various parts of the Jammu region, including Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts.
After the spree of attacks, which have claimed the lives of nearly 50 soldiers, the security establishment has undertaken a thorough review of the situation, including the persisting threat and ways to address it.
The review has been undertaken at series of meetings involving Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and top officials of the Army and paramilitary forces.
A plan is afoot for induction of 2000 additional personnel of BSF to be deployed along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border in the Jammu region, which is spread over 485 kilometres and interspersed with dense forests and mountainous terrain.
As many as 75 security camps are also proposed to be set up in the forest areas and mountain tops of Jammu region. These camps will also have components of Jammu and Kashmir Police, especially the Special Operations Group (SOG).
Village Defence Committees (VDCs), which comprise local civilians, will be imparted proper security training and will be armed with semi-automatic weapons.
Investigations carried out after the series of attacks have shown that the terrorists have been interacting with locals in higher reaches and getting food and other essentials from some of them through coercion, threats or monetary benefits.
It is suspected that the terrorists are hiding in caves and some other such places in the mountains of Jammu region and patrolling by the security forces will keep this aspect in mind.
