The Hindu : National : Pir Panjal vulnerable despite people's might

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Sunday, Sep 25, 2005

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National

Pir Panjal vulnerable despite people's might

Luv Puri

The battle with militants is far from over in remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir

ENDURING THE HEIGHTS: Ponies being used by locals for carrying ammunition. — Photo : Luv Puri

KULALI: Villagers in this belt of Surankote succeeded in clearing the Hill Kaka tract of militants two years ago. Now they are slowly trying to regroup on its fringes. Attempts are being made to pierce the security net around the ridges. The battle between the militants and the security forces in the remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir along the Pir Panjal ranges is far from over.

Till April 2003, the villagers were at the mercy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. This zone had the maximum concentration of militants, as the area was strategically located, providing access to other parts of the State. The hills were inaccessible, in the absence of roads.

When the locals picked up weapons to fight back, militancy received a jolt all over the State. A strategic base was lost, when more than 100 militants, most of them foreigners, were present. Knowledge of the terrain and their stamina gave the locals the cutting edge in counter-militancy operations. But the terrain provides a number of entry points through dense forests.

In July last, militants killed 12 persons, including women and children, in Teli Katha. They entered the village from the northern side. Two days ago, nomads noticed a group of militants on the western side near the Tatakutti hills, the highest peak in the Pir Panjal. Local youth, enlisted as special police officers (SPOs), were sent to the Siawali area to search for the militants. In the area adjoining the historic Mughal road, the presence of a local Lashkar commander, Pahalwan, has been confirmed. However, attempts to eliminate this group have met with little success.

Two months ago, an SPO team reached the Pir Panjal peaks through the Hirpur tract of south Kashmir by road via Banihal, in a bid to encircle the militants. But they gave their pursuers the slip.

Two militants killed

Recently, two militants, including a doctor, were killed in the eastern part of the hills. To the south of the area, in Ranjati peak, there has been a noticeable movement of militants.

Local Army commanders said the militants' presence was mostly on the ridges on the inter-unit formation tract and it would be taken care of.

Rajouri-based GOC Romeo force Major-General G.D. Bakshi said: "We would make sure that no militant enters the area as security of these villagers is a priority. Whatever presence on the ridges is being effectively dealt with."

There is excellent rapport between the SPOs and Sikh troops, thanks to linguistic affinity. Gojri, spoken by the locals, is similar to Punjabi spoken by the Sikh soldiers in 16 Rashtriya Rifles.

Tahir Fazal, SPO, said: "We specifically asked for the Punjab regiment from the Centre for, we can work effectively when we understand each other's language."

SPOs disengaged

A few days ago, in a surprise move, five SPOs were disengaged by the authorities. Ghulam Hassain, SPO, said: "We get Rs. 1,500 a month, which is far from sufficient to meet our daily needs or carry out operations. Horses used for transporting ammunition have to be fed. There is no time to concentrate on our traditional occupation. Even this paltry assistance is being withdrawn. It is because of our efforts militancy got a jolt throughout the State. People in the neighbouring belt have also come forward to join the village defence committees."

The disengagement of the SPOs, when their lives are still at a risk, has put them in a quandary. Another sore point is that not a single gallantry award has come their way.

The least the authorities could have done was to acknowledge the brave efforts of our boys, Mohammad Qasim, a clan leader, said.

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