JeM begins summer terror onslaught in Kashmir with reworked strategy

The Jaish-e-Mohammed, backed by Pakistan's ISI, has started its summer terror onslaught after precision planning, with the neighbouring country gradually easing restrictions on the terror group. 

On Saturday, an encounter broke out between security forces and JeM terrorists in Dangerpora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district. Two terrorists are believed to have been gunned down in the encounter. 

The slain militants are believed to be Rashid Khan and Abu Manhas. However, their identities will be established after the bodies are recovered, said security sources. Stone pelting is going on in the area by suspected JeM supporters along with general public to thwart further continuation of firing by security forces, officials said.

The fresh encounter began when troops were searching near the area of Waterbala and came in contact with terrorists at Chanjumullah, 3 kms away from Waterbala. Search operations are going on in the area.

Saturday’s encounter in Pulwama is seen as a reflection of JeM’s reworked strategy to engage security forces and cause maximum damage by creating suspicion and fear among the local population. At the time of the COVID-19 outbreak, the strategy has been further reworked to discredit the Indian security forces doing good work in the valley as millions of people are being assisted in healthcare and livelihood in the Union territory of J&K post abrogation of Article 370.

The JeM operational commander Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar had met ISI officials in Rawalpindi in December where the action plans were formulated. More recruitment drives were carried out and terror tactics reworked to avoid international scrutiny and claim deniability. 

In subsequent months, more recruits were trained for Kashmir jihad and a sizeable number of cadres were brought from Afghanistan front to the Kashmir border. 

In the last few days, the cross border tensions have gone up as firing and mortar shelling by Pakistani troops has been intensified especially in sectors like Poonch.