Author: Pradeep Dutta
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: October 9, 2001
URL: http://www.indian-express.com/ie20011009/nat3.html
JAMMU, OCTOBER 8: After the US-led
attack on Afghanistan, security forces fighting militancy in Jammu and
Kashmir are expecting violence to spiral in the coming days in the state.
This they believe will be Pakistan's
strategy in the coming days to prove that militancy in the Valley is an
indigenous movement for freedom and has nothing to do with the Taliban
or Pakistan.
''In a bid to show that the Kashmir
problem is different from Afghanistan, Pakistan will put pressure here
to step up militancy,'' Additional Deputy Inspector General, BSF, S. Bhullar
said.
However, IGP (BSF), Kashmir Range,
G.S. Gill said that the quantum of violence will depend on the genesis
across the border. How much control will Pakistan have over the militants?
How will the US pursue them?
All of them were also unanimous
that law and order problems would also rise. ''But we are well prepared
to tackle any such situation,'' he said. Senior officers describe reports
of wireless intercepts by militants instructing their counterparts to join
the Taliban fighting a war against the ''infidels'' (the US), as nothing
but propaganda aimed at checkmating security agencies working here.
''On ground we have yet to see anything
in this direction,'' said Gill. He said they corroborate electronic intelligence
with ground intelligence and then act accordingly.
Defence Spokesperson Colonel S.P.K.
Singh, said that after the Assembly attack the Northern Command is keeping
a close watch on the developments in Afghanistan. Fearing violence, forces
are on high alert on the borders.
''To combat insurgency effectively,
operations in the hinterland are in progress as usual and the situation
is being monitored closely,'' said Colonel Singh.
Deputy Inspector General, BSF, Srinagar
zone, B.N. Kabul, said that things would not change in J&K unless the
US forces the Pakistan to close all its training camps.
However, he agreed that with the
situation being as it is in Afghanistan, foreigner mercenaries operating
here will remain worried till things stabilise in their homeland. ''In
frustration such elements can be more dangerous,'' he said.