Author: Kavita Suri, Statesman
News Service
Publication: The Statesman
Date: October 30, 2001
Introduction: ISI conducts largescale
recruitment drive in Kashmir Valley for volunteers in Taliban country
SRINAGAR, Oct. 29. - Anger in Kashmir
over the attacks on Afgha-nistan has fuelled a recruitment drive of thousands
of youths eager to fight against the USA. They have the support of the
ISI, now focusing on recruitment of youngsters, despite Pakistan's support
to the USA.
Though only a few groups of Kashmiri
youths had crossed into PoK recently, many others were trying to do so
to get arms training, officials said. Recently, 14 Kashmiri youths entered
PoK from Poonch district's Loran area.
Security forces in Kashmir valley
are worried over the overwhelming response to join the jihad.
The BSF Intelligence chief in Kashmir,
Mr Rajinder Singh Bhullar, DIG, said the main reason for these youngsters'
response to a call to arms is that they ''have seen nothing but bloodshed
in the valley''. For, it's easy to indoctrinate them because they grew
up with militancy.
Surprisingly, these youths, recruited
by outfits and taken to Pakistan, have been creating problems for their
mentors too. During training, many of them become homesick, said Mr Bhullar.
No wonder, the ISI has been telling its hitmen in the valley not to recruit
such youths and to go for older men.
The figures provided by the BSF
show the exodus from Kashmir valley has been the highest this year. Till
September, 257 people had crossed over into PoK. The next highest figure
was 255 in 1996. The data show only 786 militants infiltrated into J&K
this year.
But Kashmir police chief, Dr AK
Bhan, said about 450 people had crossed over from Kashmir this year. More
than 100 people were picked up by the forces and then sent back to their
parents.
"But from now on, we've decided
to take proper action against the youths because they are, directly or
indirectly, involved in militancy," said the Kashmir IG. Police have initiated
action against 15 to 20 youths, who had tried to cross over to the other
side.
"We used to think that these young
gullible boys should be given a chance to rectify themselves, but we will
not be doing it now," said Dr Bhan.
Reports have surfaced in the valley
on two youths, among 183 Kashmiris to cross over into Pakistan to join
the jihad in Afghanistan early this month, having been killed in US attacks.
A newspaper, quoting Intelligence sources, flashed the report on Friday
but couldn't identify them.
The report said most of the 183
youths, between 16 and 21 years of age, were among the 800 youths to cross
over into Pakistan in the past three months. They had entered Pakistan
for training in arms and explosives.
As many as 782 youths, including
76 Kashmiris, migrated to Pakistan from Kupwara and Baramulla during the
past three months, it said. Besides, about 600 militants are poised on
the LoC in PoK, waiting to return.
Mr Bhullar said since vigil along
the LoC had been tightened, exodus and infiltration had reduced. More than
25 routes used by militants are being plugged with mines and troops.
