What terror attack on pilgrims in J&K’s Reasi could mean for security establishment

Apart from that, the district, which is far away from the Line of Control, had been peaceful for the past nearly two decades. Sources said the only other militant activity reported from the area is of militants passing through on their way to the Kashmir Valley after crossing the LoC into Rajouri and Poonch districts. In July 2022, local residents had overpowered two heavily armed Lashkar-e-Toiba militants in Reasi district’s Tuksan Dhok and handed them over to the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Both were at that time on their way to Kashmir from Rajouri.

Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts had been a hub of militancy from late 1990s to early 2000s, but then became relatively peaceful until Rajouri and Poonch started witnessing a resurgence in militant activities in 2021.

Strategically, according to former security forces officials, these three districts are important in view of their geographical location, tough mountainous terrain and dense forests.

Nearly 200 km of the LoC runs along Rajouri and Poonch. The Pir Panjal range, which separates Kashmir from Jammu division, passes through the three districts and provides a passage to the Valley for militants who cross the LoC.

A senior police officer said on condition of anonymity that the geography of the area acts to the advantage of militants as the mountains and forests provide them the cover to move between districts whenever they face mounting pressure from security forces.
The officer said Sunday’s terror attack in Reasi likely came as a response to the mounting pressure on militants from police and security forces in Rajouri and Poonch.

Since 2021, a total of 38 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed in militant attacks in both Rajouri and Poonch districts. Of them, nearly two dozen soldiers and seven civilians have been killed in 2023 alone.