The recent terror attacks in the twin districts of South Kashmir, targeting a policeman and two migrant workers, have set alarm bells ringing within security circles. Security agencies are now focused on identifying the pattern behind these fresh incidents, fearing that more deadly attacks could take place in the region.
A fresh advisory has been issued to security personnel, directing them to avoid isolated or single-person deployments and immediately suspend all non-essential movement and personal activities in sensitive areas.
According to security sources, the deployment of security personnel will be strengthened, while search operations across vulnerable locations will be intensified.
Reports suggest that security agencies are also zeroing in on specific locations in vulnerable areas to trace the terrorists involved in the recent attacks that claimed three lives.
Earlier, intelligence inputs had warned about the presence of a small group of foreign and local terrorists suspected to be carrying small arms and other weapons.
Since 2020, the footprint of terrorism in the Kashmir Valley had reduced significantly, while terrorist activity shifted to the Jammu division, which witnessed dozens of attacks and encounters.
The recent attacks resemble a pattern seen in 2022, when terrorists targeted a policeman, migrant workers, government officials, a teacher and local political leaders across several districts.
The two attacks carried out within a span of two weeks claimed the lives of police constable Aashiq Hussain Qureshi of the IR 3rd Battalion, who was killed in a lone-wolf attack, and two migrant labourers who were shot dead in Kulgam district.
The apparent return of hybrid terrorism has raised concerns among security agencies. Officials fear such attacks may increase in the coming months as terrorists either lose the ability to engage security forces directly or shift their focus towards soft targets.
If that happens, it will pose a major challenge for security agencies, as preventing every attack on soft targets is extremely difficult given the terrain and geography of Jammu and Kashmir.
So far, the attackers involved in the two incidents remain at large. Security forces have intensified search operations and investigations to track down those responsible.
By Waseem Ahmad Ganie
Follow us
