The security situation in Kashmir has improved over the past three years. Various measures have been taken to counter insurgency in the valley. To understand the current security situation, efforts for return of peace and normalcy, Rising Kashmir’s Security and Defense Correspondent, Irfan Yattoo, in an interview with Inspector General CRPF (Kashmir Operations) M.S. Bhatia talks about the security situation in the valley and the challenges and post-Pulwama attack measures.
What is the current security situation in Kashmir?
Over the past several years, there has been a remarkable improvement in the situation in the valley. From days of stone pelting and law and order demonstrations, now the stone pelting is almost zero. In the past schools and markets would shut for months. But now there are no shutdowns, strikes etc.
Secondly, the number of active terrorists has gone down drastically. Lots of modules were busted and major encounters were tackled efficiently. The shelf life of terrorists has gone down and the number of new recruits has declined.
The “terror ecosystem” has been demolished and now the popular support for militancy that was there amongst the general public has also come down.
All the agencies are working in good coordination and synergy which has resulted in a big impact on the ground as far as the security situation is concerned.
Notably, tourism has flourished which is again a sign of normalcy and obviously, tourists are coming but law and order has improved. We successfully completed the incident free Amarnath Yatra last year and in future also we are prepared for such events. There has been improvement in the overall situation and people stand together for the same whether it is shopkeepers, businessmen or any other stakeholder.
Few encounters were reported this year. Does it indicate a change of strategy?
Every year and every month is a new challenge. We don’t believe in comparing data of past and present. As I already said there has been a sea change in the security situation and the number of active terrorists has gone down.
The base itself has been eroded and the number of terrorists in the valley has gone down. At the same time, whatever remains, we are on the job. All the forces and agencies are working in tandem.
The idea is to as and when the module builds up, neutralize it before it causes any damage, so that is something we are always keen on. Since the synergy is good whatever information we get from intelligence agencies and we convert it into operations.
Last week, two active terrorists Aaqib and Aijaz were killed. They were both active for more than a year. That is again a good achievement this year. We are looking for a lot of positivity and more achievements to come this year.
Recently we have seen use of CSRVs during Pulwama encounter, can you brief us about the specialized vehicle?
It is our moral responsibility to keep our forces safe. Technological upgradation is important. Recently, we have used Critical Situation Response Vehicles (CSRV) in encounters. CSRV is indigenously designed by R&D Wing of CRPF and the initial model has collaborated with DRDO. Subsequently, two more vehicles were made between 2018 and 2020.
CSRV is an armored combat vehicle. It is bulletproof and has a platform that can be through a hydraulic mechanism.
This vehicle can gain a height to intervene into any house, or terrace especially to upper storey. We find in Kashmir that whenever an encounter takes place, the terrorists are generally holed up in the upper storey or terrace; this provides an opportunity to engage with them.
This vehicle is both bullet and bomb-proof. The main thing is that it will give confidence to Jawans, operating on ground. CSRV can enter into narrow lanes and turning radius is very little. It is tireless and can cover any terrain including rough, snowing or hilly areas.
CSRV is being used effectively. It was also used in an earlier counter-insurgency operation in Tral. Recently we used it for the second time in a Padgampora encounter in Pulwama.
What more technologies have you procured to modernize CRPF?
Over the past several years, CRPF has modernized its weapons and equipment inventory to effectively deal with anti-national elements. We feel that for any professional forces, it is important to leverage technology because it acts as a force multiplier.
On the technology front, there are two aspects that include: upgrading arms and ammunition and second is use technology to provide operational edge.
We have many things on the ground like grenade launchers, AGL, UPGL, multi barrel grenade launchers. CRPF has also marksmen vehicles which are also bullet proof and they have been used effectively.
We have sniper rifles, telescopic guns and anti-material telescopic rifles, wall through radars and so many other innovations have been done.
Bulletproofing of vehicles and mine-proof, medium bullet proof vehicles are being introduced. We have CCTV surveillance on the highways. We have drones and they are used effectively for securing the national highway. We have night vision devices, and thermal images and they are all being used in the war against terror.
After the Pulwama attack, what precautions have you taken to secure the NH-44?
It is our endeavor to make the National Highway-44 totally secure for which a lot of SOPs have been put in place. We try to implement the SOPs in an error free manner.
After the Pulwama incident, we have relooked at the SOPs and certain loose ends were tightened. Now, whenever the convoys move, we make sure that the security is full proof and adjacent routes, roads are also dominated. It is under 24/7 surveillance especially during the convoy movement through CCTVs.
Without causing any discomfort to the vehicles operating on the National Highway, we tried to make sure that our own convoy security is not compromised because of civilian vehicles as the Pulwama incident happened due to that.
Certain traffic regulations and restrictions are imposed during the convoy movement. Lot of good things have happened and drones are also used on the highway.
The ROPs have become very professional over the period of time and they are being supervised regularly to maintain the level of alertness and make sure that the NH is fully dominated. The highway is the lifeline for the valley which has to be secured.
Is there any Pulwama-like attack threat in the valley?
We are prepared to meet any threat. There has been remarkable improvement in the security situation and morale of terrorists has gone down including their firepower, active numbers, new recruits and their ecosystem has vanished.
Everything has changed for the positive and in the present scenario, we have the upper edge due to synergy and coordination. For any such nefarious designs if they exist, we try to take care of all those inputs and try to nip it into the bud whenever we get such information. I think, lot of positivity is there and we are fully prepared to meet any situation.
Do IED or sticky bombs still exist in the valley?
Yes, threat is always there. Last year, some IEDs were used against us and because of our SOPs, alertness was put in place due to which no damage was done. So our Bomb Disposal Squats (BDS) are there and we have K9 (dog squat) to sanitize all the highways, roads, culverts etc. We make sure that before any movement is allowed, the road clearance is given after sanitization of vulnerable areas and spots.
Huge recoveries of explosives happened last year. Of course, the enemy is pushing prefabricated IEDs through drones. We are on the job and are trying to bust each and every module on the ground pushed across the border.
Last year, CRPF deployed women battalion in Srinagar. Are there any plans for more such battalions?
Yes, there has been deployment of Mahila Battalions in Srinagar and so that it is used in law and order situations. Depending on the sort of need, it may be increased later, but right now whatever we have is sufficient.
During the Amarnath Yatra, we call for more Mahila components because that is put on for good use during the Yatra. So whenever such a situation arises, we try to increase it depending on the situation.
It is being said that women personnel will be deployed for anti-militancy operations. Do you have such plans?
Till now there has been no such proposal especially in south Kashmir which is quite sensitive. We have our own forces that are well trained, counter terrorism teams, QAT that work in tandem with Army and Police. So they are yielding good results and we keep them equipped with the latest technologies and equipment.
Of course a soldier is a solider, there is no difference between male and female soldier but right now as things stand in the valley for the operations purposes, we are using male battalions.
Has there been any challenge for security forces in Kashmir this year?
There has been a drastic decline in stone-pelting incidents and shutdowns, as the terrorists are looking at different ways to disrupt peace. We are witnessing a new normal in Kashmir where the tourism industry is booming, and all the parameters of violence are showing the return of normalcy.
However, we need to be cautious regarding the “hybrid terrorist” which is the new format adopted by anti-terror elements. Forces along with society have to work together to counter this threat and save youth from scourge of terrorism and path of violence.
