Hira Nagar Encounter

It is now an open secret that terror groups are operating with impunity in the border areas of Jammu region. An increase in the terrorist violence in Jammu indicates the new strategy of the patrons of terror who are being infiltrated from across the border to disrupt the normal lives of the people. This is a well-planned move to keep the Jammu region on boil that has witnessed a relative peace when Kashmir region was the prime target of the terror modules. During the beginning of this year there have been a series of terror attacks in the Rajouri district. Then this cycle of violence was spread to Kathua district as well. When analysed carefully these attacks were primarily meant to target the security forces. The reason is clear that they wanted to send a message that they are well equipped as they were able to ambush the Indian army for a continuous period. Situation in Rajouri is a case in point that witnessed a prolonged ambush for a long time. On Sunday, the forest area near the Hira Nagar area of Kathua district in Jammu region witnessed an encounter. Three heavily armed terrorists were spotted by the security personnel near the India-Pakistan border. When these terrorists were intercepted, it led to the gun battle. Massive search operations have been launched in the area by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Indian Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to nab the terrorists. There are intelligence inputs regarding the presence of more terrorists in the area, who are making efforts to infiltrate into the Indian side of the border. It is pertinent to mention that after making their presence felt in the Rajouri district the terrorists are making every effort to disrupt the normal life in the Kathua district. This can be judged from the series of previous attacks and now the Hira Nagar encounter makes it clearer. It must be underlined that on 9th March, while reviewing the security in Jammu and Kashmir the Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the issue of lack of information on the movements of terrorist groups had emerged. This meeting noticed the challenge of insufficient intelligence inputs. This is indeed a matter of serious concern. It is on the basis of credible information about the terror groups that ultimately leads to nabbing them and pre-empt the terror attacks and their nefarious strategies. During this meeting the intelligence agencies asked the local police to strengthen the relations with the local tribal communities. The reason being that they are well versed about the terrain and topography of the forest areas that act as cover for the terrorists as is the case in the Hira Nagar area of Kathua. High-intensity attacks on the armed forces and indulging them in the ambushes is a serious cause of concern as it reveals the amount of training these terror groups are imparting to the terrorists. Primary reasons for these attacks that are being made in the Jammu region are due to the lack of credible intelligence on infiltration. The increased dependence on artificial intelligence has reduced the ground connection with the masses. The on ground connections have always delivered the best results in terms of operational intelligence. Earlier three civilians were found dead under mysterious circumstances in Kathua district’s Malhar area. Though the police has ruled out the terror angle, the series of incidents is leading to many apprehensions. Terrorists are using innovative strategies to create fear among the masses. There is a need to overhaul the intelligence gathering methodology so that operational success is guaranteed. Kathua is posing new security challenges. It cannot be brushed aside. If left unattended then it can cause severe security challenges having long terms internal security problems.