Ramzan sees spike in violence in J&K

The holy month of Ramzan remained the most violent period of the year 2007 in Jammu and Kashmir, with about 45 militants being gunned down in the past fortnight.

The infiltration bids from across the border and encounters between security forces and militants touched a new high during the holy Islamic month, despite several political and social organisations demanding a break in fighting.

On average, a single Ramadan day witnessed at least three ultras being shot dead in counter-insurgency operations in the state, while some innocent civilians and army officers also lost their lives.

With the killing of nine militants of different outfits on September 25, a total of 26 dreaded militants were gunned down in the Jammu region in the second half of the previous month.

Similarly, nine Pakistani militants were killed by security forces after a three-day-long operation, which ended on Wednesday, close to hill resort Gulmarg in Kashmir. Two army majors also lost their lives in the operation.

Although summer is believed to be the most favorable season for infiltration, but despite the arrival of winters, as upper reaches have already experienced first snowfall, attempts of militants to intrude into Indian territory have, on the contrary, increased.

A highly placed intelligence source said the main reason behind spur in violence during this period, is onset of winters, which would make it difficult for militants to cross into from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to the Indian side.

So, the source said, "Going for a ceasefire against militants could be imprudent on the part of security forces, as these apprehensions were already existing. Militants will like to take maximum benefit now (this period), as, besides border fencing, winters will pose another problem during the coming months for them."

As per official reports, about 50,000 trained militants of various outfits, including Hizbul Mujaheedin, Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islam and Lashkar-e- Tayiba, are looking for suitable opportunity to infiltrate into India from the Pakistani side.

Besides killings of 26 militant commanders, security forces arrested eight new recruits and overground workers of different terror outfits while four ultras, including a Jaish-e-Mohammed district commander surrendered their arms.