RAJOURI, JULY 22: After its defeat in Kargil, the Pakistanis will try to step up insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.Disclosing this to The Indian Express here, Major General G S Negi, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of an Army formation here, said that the security of civilians was the main worry of all the counter-insurgency agencies, at present. The formation was engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch until the outbreak of the Kargil conflict two months ago.The Pakistan's Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) was trying to find out new routes to push in militants from across the Line of Control (LoC) and also supply arms and ammunition to those already operating in the State. Substantiating this, he pointed out that about half a dozen infiltration attempts by heavily-armed militants were foiled by Army troops in both the districts only during the last month.Such was the desperation on part of the ISI officials and militants that they even triedto cross over the LoC during day time, Maj Gen Negi said. Apart from this, there have also been clashes between various militant outfits for arms and ammunition, he added.Recently, the Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami (HUJI) militants, led by their area commander Talibani, cordoned the area commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (Pir Panjal Regiment), Aftab, along with his group at their hideout between Darhal and Kandi. As the former asked them to hand over their weapons, Aftab contacted ISI officials across the LoC for instructions.Quoting intercepts, Maj Gen Negi said that Talibani complained that his group was facing a shortage of arms and ammunition as the Army troops had smashed their hideouts in the past. He also justified his action, saying that Aftab's group was not engaged in any activity, at present.Attributing all this to increased operational alertness by Army troops along the LoC, he said that though their (militants) morale had become low after Pakistan's retreat in Kargil and shortage of weaponry,they may hit soft targets in desperation. These are likely to be suspected informers and those who assisted security forces in the past, he said and added that they may also hit members of the minority community to create a communal divide.The laying of mines by militants may also increase, in view of their facing a shortage of arms and ammunition. However, the Rashtriya Rifles, meant for protecting the lines of road communication, will take care of it, he added.However, the Pakistani troops and the ISI were trying to boost the morale of militants by resorting to false propaganda. Rejecting the possibility of Pakistani troops creating another Kargil in Rajouri and Poonch, he said that they will supply weapons and ammunition to militants in the State instead. ``Equally will be our effort (sic) to prevent infiltration of militants and supply of weapons from across the border,'' he added.However, a lot also depends on the developments taking place in Pakistan in view of its defeat in Kargil, Maj GenNegi said. Whatever may be the fallout of Kargil, the Army cannot remain complacent and they have to remain prepared for all contingencies, he said.The GOC did not foresee induction of any new type of weaponry among militant ranks, saying that they were already in possession of sophisticated weapons like AK rifles, Pika guns, Universal Machine Guns, Light Machine Guns and Rocket launchers. Their supply will continue as Pakistan has no dearth of these weapons, he said and added that, however, there were also efforts to improve the communication system of militants.They have also started using the satellite communication system, he said, adding that one such equipment was seized by troops at Rupi Pass this year.
