Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI is in the process of launching a major terror attack in the Valley before August 5, a year after the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian intelligence agencies have alerted security forces about this plot being hatched by Pakistan-backed terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba. ISI has instructed these outfits to carry out fidayeen attacks while terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen has been told to attack convoys and installations of security forces.
According to sources, an important meeting between ISI and Pakistani Army officials was held on 6 July in Muzaffarabad of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in which it was decided that ceasefire would be violated on the border and Pakistanbacked terrorists sitting in Kashmir would target leaders, panchayat representatives and security forces personnel. Policemen could be kidnapped, attacks on security installations and security forces could be done through IED blasts. The Indian security forces have been instructed to be vigilant after this information was received. The most sensitive areas are southern and northern Kashmir especially Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Anantnag, Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla. After the assassination of Kashmiri Pandit sarpanch Ajay Pandita in Anantnag, not only Kashmiri Pandits but also ‘Aam Panchayat’ representatives are in fear. They are constantly demanding their protection.
A senior Home Ministry official told The Daily Guardian that the security forces were capable of dealing with every situation and the environment in the Valley would not be allowed to deteriorate in any way. Terrorists are constantly being targeted and 125 of them have been killed so far this year. The remaining terrorists are also being tracked down so that the Valley can be freed from terror. The security forces are on alert all the time but special vigilance will be exercised regarding the Amarnath Yatra and the 5 August plan.
After Parliament scrapped Article 370, Pakistan is in the process of carrying out these attacks so that it can tell the world that not much has changed in Jammu and Kashmir even after the repeal of Article 370, informed a security official. Pakistan has protested against the removal of Article 370 at many international forums also but its efforts yielded no response from the international community.