Valley militants go hi-tech

Not only this, they (militants) have also started using radio sets with hopping frequency, making it difficult for the security forces to intercept their messages. Earlier, it was easy to intercept the militants’ conversation, as they used to communicate among themselves and the Pak Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) on wireless sets with fixed frequency.

In fact, they have even gone astep ahead by resorting to the use of satellite telephones in these districts. One such telephone was recovered from a slain militant by the police after an encounter in Kalakot area of Rajouri district recently.

Pointing out that the facility of satellite telephones is not available in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior police officer here said that they (militants) appear to be using them through bases located in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Major General V S Yadav, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Infantry Division in Rajouri and Poonch districts, also confirmed the upgradation of weaponry and communication network by militants. Referring to the lobbing of 82 mm mortar shells in Rajouri during September last, he said that the troops recovered a mortar from near the LOC in Balakot area in November 1998. However, the mortar used by militants for shelling was yet to be recovered.

Meanwhile, defence sources said that the troops recovered Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) along with a launcher, besides107 mm Smooth Barrel Rocket Launcher (SBRL) ammunition, anti-tank missiles and flame throwers among other weapons, from various places in both the districts during the last two years. Besides, the police also recovered a remote controlled flying machine and Rocket Propelled Guns (RPGs), along with rockets from militants and their hideouts during the period.

Sources said that there were also reports about militants having inducted the anti-aircraft weapons in Rajouri and Poonch districts. “Neither have we come across with such weapons, nor have militants used it so far,” a senior Army official said.

However, the militants had used the 107 mm SBRL ammunition in Surankote and Kalai areas, besides resorting to mortar shelling in Rajouri last year. However, there was no loss of life or damage to property during these attacks, as the militants had fired these weapons from a distance.

Pointing out that militants were on the run due to mounting pressure from the security forces and police in both these borderdistricts, sources said that the induction of the heavy calibre weapons have been of no use to them in view of the rugged hilly terrain and lack of expertise. It was difficult for them to immediately shift such a weapon to some hideout, after its use on the rugged hilly terrains.

Besides, they (militants) also appear to be facing shortage of ammunition. In this connection, sources referred to the use of 82 mm mortar by militants only once in Rajouri last year. Thereafter, they have not used the weapon, a senior Army official said, and added that either the weapon appears to have got damaged during the firing or they were facing shortage of ammunition.

However, the security forces and police have also started upgrading their weapons and communication system to counter militancy in Rajouri and Poonch, the official said.