JeM prime target:Army
Security forces in south Kashmir are intending to launch “particular operations” against the members of Jaish-e-Muhammad militants, who in recent months have carried out deadly attacks in the region, a top Indian army commander said Friday. General Officer Commanding of Awantipur-based Victor Force, Major General BS Raju, admitted that the presence of JeM in south Kashmir districts. “There is some strength of Jaish and we are given to believe that there could be some 10 to 15 members of the outfit in south Kashmir,” he told reporters in Budgam in central Kashmir. Raju, who oversees army’s operations in entire south Kashmir, said the government forces would be taking action against the Jaish militants and the process has begun. Referring to fierce gunbattle at Samboora area of Pulwom district last night, the Army Commander said “the process of neutralization of Jaish militants has begun”. “There are indeed members of JeM in south Kashmir… and we intend to act particularly against the Jaish-e-Muhammad,” Raju said. He however didn’t explain what kind of operations would be carried out against the Jaish militants who in the summer of 2017 managed infiltration into south Kashmir through Pir Pinjal Mountains in Jammu division. The presence of Jaish militants in south Kashmir is a cause of worry for police and army in Kashmir as they are believed to be highly trained and well-armed. The Jaish militants have already carried out two major Fidayeen attacks in Pulwom district police lines and at BSF’s Gogo Land camp near Srinagar Airport. Police have also blamed Jaish militants for series of attacks in Tral sub-district. Raju said 115 militants are active in south Kashmir presently and 99 out of them are locals. He also termed the local militant recruitment as cause of concern but asked parents, village elders, prayer leaders and teachers of schools and colleges to keep youth away from militancy
