Youths continue to join militant groups; tension multiplies for security forces

Anantnag: The number of local youths joining militancy in Kashmir since a fresh agitation erupted in July last has shown an alarming increase with security agencies putting the figure at nearly 250 till March.
The state police remained tightlipped over the disturbing trend and only maintained that they were assessing the reports of missing youths, but sources in the security agencies said the situation on the ground, especially south Kashmir, was worrisome and action was needed to be taken at the earliest.
The spurt in locals joining militancy began after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terror group’s poster boy Burhan Wani in an encounter in south Kashmir on July 8 last year.
According to sources in the security agencies, the difference between the present day militancy and that during the early 1990s is that the ideological conviction of the present lot of militants is far more superior than that of the terror groups during the early days. Kashmir is witnessing a trend of ‘Pan-Islamisation’ where the young boys are opting for the path of terrorism knowing fully well that they are at the risk of being killed, the sources said.
The main affected areas from where youths were reported to be missing included Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama and parts of Awantipora in south Kashmir and certain areas of downtown Srinagar, the sources said.
Movement of foreign terrorists has also been reported in various areas of south Kashmir accompanied by locally trained militants who are aware of the topography of the region.
The sources said that capturing militants or engaging with them has become far more difficult as a local network of over ground workers in the Valley has been strengthened and terrorists are being forewarned about movement of the troops.
Daily intelligence briefs prepared by various agencies invariably has a new name added to the list of new recruits to militancy on a daily basis causing a deep sense of worry to the police in these areas, the sources said. (PTI)