Centre’s Crackdown Begins in J&K, 21 Terrorists on Hit List

Centre has set in motion its muscular policy by cracking down on 21 terrorists in J&K

The Centre has made its intentions clear in Kashmir. A day after Governor’s rule, four terrorists were killed in a major encounter. In a clear message to the militants and separatists, the Centre has decided to display its ‘muscular approach’ and not deal with the terrorists with kid’s gloves.

Among those killed was Islamic State Jammu & Kashmir (ISJK) chief Dawood Ahmed Sofi. ISJK is a repackaged version of Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen (TuM), a radical Ahle Hadees affiliate which was active in the Valley since the early 90s but remained defunct for several years, according to sources in the central security establishment.

According to sources, 21 top terrorists are now on the “hit list” of security forces after Sofi and three of his aides were gunned down in a shootout at Nowshera village in south Kashmir.

Operations would soon be launched  to target 21 “most wanted terrorists” – 11 from Hizbul Mujahideen, seven from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), two from Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) and one from Ansar Ghazwat ul-Hind (AGH).

The centre has also decided to deploy NSG  commandos and Black Cats who are known for close combat operations. These personnel are undergoing training in Kashmir and may be called when needed. Snipers are also being pressed in to deal with special and sensitive encounters.

Meanwhile, there were disquieting reports that terrorists were targeting the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. Intelligence agencies have unearthed a plot wherein terrorists were planning to use car bombs to disrupt the Yatra.

Even as the centre continues its crackdown, Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra on Friday met with senior leaders and representatives of political parties of the state and discussed the prevailing environment and important issues concerning the growth and development of the state.

While the National Conference along with other parties urged the Governor to take some confidence-building measures, Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president G A Mir called for a change in the administration so that officials are accessible to the common masses.

The NC, led by former chief minister Omar Abdullah, also called on the governor to carry out a crackdown on corruption and cleaning the governance system.

The NC and other parties including Panthers Party called for an immediate dissolution of the state assembly and to make atmosphere conducive for holding an early election in the state.

“Since no political party has the numbers to form the government and no combination of political parties has staked claim for government formation, there is no option but to dissolve the assembly in order to prevent horse-trading and other such corrupt practices,” Harsh Dev Singh of Panthers Party told reporters.