Ahead of J-K polls, Army doubles down on counter-infiltration, redeploys troops in temporary bases, LoC fence

The Army will be carrying out intense search operations as part of the exercise, the sources added, while there will be large-scale seek and destroy operations.

Sources said that tourist access would be temporarily denied to specific spots, especially forested areas of North Kashmir that lie close to the LoC.

The troops are deployed along the LoC, LoC fence, and the permanent operating bases round the year and operations are carried out regularly. However, the intensity of operations will be raised and a larger number of TOBs will be established in specific vulnerable areas as part of enhanced security measures during the polls.

As part of the preparations, Route Opening Parties will also step up operations, and more check posts, including mobile vehicle ones, will come up at population centres and roads. Drones will be deployed for increased surveillance and area domination. Surveillance has already been stepped up as regards activities of known overground workers.

Officials said adequate reserves have also been kept by the Army to respond to any contigency in a faster timeframe.

An official admitted that given the enhanced tempo of operations, which can “be sustained for a limited time frame”, they will only be carried out ahead of and during the forthcoming elections.

Intelligence reports have suggested that the terrorists may carry out “low-key incidents to disrupt election activities”, ensuring that they don’t attract any large-scale retaliation from security forces.

The sources quoted above also said that security forces have prepared their response strategies to deal with various situations that may arise during the elections.

J&K has seen a spate of terror attacks in the last few months, resulting in fatalities among security forces. The Indian Express reported last month that the common factors in these attacks — a majority of them in areas south of the Pir Panjal range — are that the militants have better communications equipment to send out encrypted messages and modern rifles, they seem better trained psychologically and physically, and they also seem to be trading in narcotics.

Last week, three terrorists were killed in two encounters with security forces in Kupwara district. As per sources, the strict vigilance and increased area domination which is being carried out during the election season has played a role in the success of the joint operation that was launched by the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir police. Additionally, the security drills of military establishments have also been stepped up.