Revival in militancy seen in Jammu division as well, say officials

65 IEDs found along highways, busy roads in past year; several explosions in public spaces, buses since March

It’s not only in the Kashmir Valley, security agencies are concerned over attempts to revive militancy in the Jammu division as well.

In the past one year, police and security forces recovered around 65 improvised explosive devices [IED] that had been planted along highways and busy roads in Jammu. 

A senior government official said that Pakistan-based terror organisations were approaching former militants with the intention to recruit them afresh.

“Pakistan-based handlers are contacting ex-militants to gauge their availability for specific missions. We have picked up chatter that indicates so,” the official said.

The Chenab valley, which comprises Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts of the Jammu division, has often been declared “militancy free” in police records. The latest such categorisation came on June 29, 2020 when the Jammu & Kashmir Police killed Masood, the last surviving Hizbul Mujahideen militant from Doda, in an encounter in south Kashmir’s Anantnag. 

Another official said that IED devices and small weapons were being dropped using drones in areas close to the International Border in Jammu. 

The Border Security Force [BSF] had installed anti-drone guns along the International Border in Jammu to detect suspicious movement by air.