New terror offensive

— Jammu and Kashmir appears to be in the throes of a new terror offensive by the jihadis from across Pakistan. Past few weeks have seen a huge increase in infiltration attempts by well-equipped and hardcore militants, some of whom are feared to belong to the fundamentalist Taliban, presently causing mayhem in Pakistan. Two militants were killed again by the Indian Army in Kupwara. But another 30, including 25 from Taliban, seem to have slipped in through the thick forests in Gurez, close to the LoC. The incident pattern, however, is different from previous years on two counts. One, the infiltration bid has started earlier this year, much before the snow in the passes has melted. Two, larger groups of 20-30 militants are trying to infiltrate together in one go, unlike previous attempts to sneak across in smaller numbers. While police sources claim that intercepted conversation suggests presence of Taliban militants, the Army says the infiltrators are from Lashkar-e-Toyba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Al-Badr groups, hailing from Pakistan’s Punjab, PoK and NWFP areas. However, there are well-established links between militant outfits operating in J&K and the growing Taliban movement along the Af-Pak border. Given the situation, the oft-repeated demand by the local leaders to reduce the Army’s presence in the Valley is ill founded. In fact, there is need for stronger Central intervention. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah needs to read the Constitution (and Nehru’s speeches) when he says that “no government in New Delhi has the power to abrogate J&K’s special status (Article 370).” Part XXI of the Constitution clearly states that Article 370 is only a “temporary provision”. ASSAM TRIBUNE