Militancy has resurfaced in the Jammu region, spreading beyond the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri into previously peaceful areas like Doda, Kathua, Samba and Reasi, with increased civilian casualties. Militancy, which had been relatively subdued in Jammu, has seen a resurgence, with incidents spreading to more in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts. Shockingly, despite tall claim of the Union Home minister Amit Shah that Modi govt has wiped out the militancy in J&K UT after 5th August 2019. The fact is that areas like Jammu, Samba, Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi, which were previously considered relatively peaceful, have experienced a rise in militant activity. One of the reason may be the rugged terrain and poor road connectivity in Jammu provide militants with safe havens and make it difficult for security forces to reach them quickly. There is big vacuum in Intelligence agencies. The centre govt has unnecessarily engaged these agencies to gather information of the opposition leaders, journalists, activists which is actually not their jobs. Their main jobs is to collect information of possible date and time of infiltrations on LoC. With this Union Home ministry has weaken the intelligence agencies. A large number of troops redeployed to the Line of Actual Control in Eastern Ladakh may have also created a gap in local intelligence. However, 19 counter-terror units have been deployed in eight out of 10 districts of the Jammu region to check the spread of militancy but look like there is no coordination between Centre-State-Army intelligence agencies. However, the saffron party leaders, ministers always found thumping their chest after the army or security forces killed militants during encounter but the recurring incidents of security forces being ambushed have resulted in casualties, which is unacceptable for a highly trained and professional force like the Indian Army. This calls for stricter adherence to standard operating procedures and improved operations. There is need to provide latest gadgets to the army and security forces instead of providing luxury cars, helicopters, Planes and bullet proof vehicles to the Prime minister, Chief ministers, Home minister etc, they are not fighting one on one with the militants. In the first quarters of this year, Jammu province hit by continuously militants attacks. During encounters, we have witnessed that the most of the time, militants able to slip the security forces. New terror groups have also come up claiming to be behind some of the attacks. These aspects present new challenges. Tackling the situation needs a multi-layered strategy beyond just augmenting troop levels. Quick and decisive action at the highest levels of the government, bringing in all stakeholders, is the need of the hour. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has rightly said that militancy cannot be wiped out from Jammu & Kashmir without support from local people. Will add one more thing in CM’s statement, that militancy can not be wiped out with the postings of non locals as the top cop of J&K police, Home department, J&K and District police chiefs of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. In 90s, local police officers had given befitting reply to militancy in Kashmir and remained successful to wipe out it from Kashmir. The police officers sent on deputation by Home ministry won’t know on the topography of any district of the J&K, not even the Lt Governor J&K who has given charge of Law and order to control militancy. These things are helping militancy to spread their feet in the Jammu province. Going one step ahead CM Omar Abdullah said that security is not the domain of the elected government but they are lending help (LG) to keep situation under control and maintain peace in the Union Territory.
