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From Aligarh to Kerala, J&K reveals the Jihad link

From Aligarh to Kerala, J&K reveals the Jihad link

Author:
Publication: The New Indian Express
Date: May 23, 2003
URL: http://www.newindpress.com/Newsitems.asp?ID=IEH20030523134827&Title=Top+Stories&rLink=0

Soon after smashing the transit camp of militants at Hill Kaka and the surrounding ridges near Surankote, the army were in for a few surprises as they started sifting through the documents and telephone numbers found in the INMARSAT (Satellite phone). Out came telephone numbers that stretched from the Aligarh Muslim University in the North to Malappuram in Kerala.

With more documents being sent across as the operation enters its fourth phase, the army is only beginning to discover the extent to which the terrorists have spread their network. ``We discovered phone numbers recorded on the INMARSAT which belonged to Kolkata, Kerala, Aligarh Muslim University, Ahmedabad and a host of other places,'' says Maj Gen Hardev Lidder, General Officer Commanding, Romeo Force. Besides the 12 Ak-47 rifles recovered so far, the army has also captured over 100 kgs of plastic explosives, Rocket-Propelled Grenades, a mortar and a massive 6,694-kg of rations that indicate the level of preparedness the infiltrators have achieved.

A photograph found on a dead terrorist that depicts him in front of Parliament has raised the heckles of the security forces. Military Intelligence sources said the diaries confiscated from the camps reveal the presence of a number of post-graduates among the militants. ``Never before have we seen such well- educated terrorists coming in. Almost 80 per cent of them are educated. In fact, one person we interrogated had written such an excellent report that it is hard to believe his claims that he never attended school,'' Lidder claims.

While there may be a new level of sophistication among the ranks, it is the mass of equipment that has surprised the army, reiterating that cross-border terrorism as well as jehad is continuing.

Operation Sarp Vinash's scope has also increased as it progressed, at times even surprising the army units deployed in the operation. The extent to which the terrorists had established themselves in the area is just beginning to sink in. While the first phase started on April 21, it picked up steam after May 4 when it entered its fourth phase as search and destroy missions intensified and the army busted over 90 bunkers, hideouts and arms caches.

From Surankote as troops from the 6 sector Rashtriya Rifles (RR) spread out into the hills near the Pir Panjals the operation is likely to continue till terrorists are forced into inhabited areas where they are easier to be neutralised, say army officials.

``Even the surgical equipment and medicines seized indicates their level of preparedness,'' says a senior officer. Lying on display bearing marks of Pakistani pharmaceutical companies is a host of medicines and surgical equipment that would gladden the heart of a local doctor manning a dilapidated primary health centre.

Meticulously maintained records indicated the number of terrorists coming in as well as their level of efficiency. The innocuous-looking Dhoks (huts) served as the common headquarters of the main Tanzeems (terrorist outfits) in the area. ``The majority of them were from the Lashkar-e-Toiba,'' says Brig Sriniwas Yargop, commanding the sector responsible for the operation.

As the army now switches to more search and destroy missions, they are gearing up for better infrastructure and a possible road that will now take the local civil administration to places it had never seen before. ``The remoteness of the area ensured that the terrorists had a free run'' says Maj Gen Lidder. Throughout the winter months troops fought of blizzards and knee-high snow to build heli-pads, tracks and kutcha roads and stored supplies to before beginning their operations as summer came. Today, as more troops head towards the hills, terror is on the run.
 


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