Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
SRINAGAR: A visit to Kashmir by India’s top security officer today reflects the government’s concern about the “growing number of young and educated boys joining militancy in Kashmir” and a series of pro-Pakistan protests, sources have said.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Srinagar to review the security situation and devise a mechanism to deal with the “new challenge”, the sources said.
Mr Doval is meeting Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and senior security and intelligence officers.
According to reports, over 100 boys from the Kashmir Valley have joined militant outfits in the last five months. Pakistani and Lashkar flags waved at protests have also been sighted several times.
Last week, a retired police officer died after being shot by terrorists in Kulgam district of south Kashmir.
Officials believe there has been a spurt in young men joining militancy. Last year, only 27 boys had joined the militants in South Kashmir, which is also the bastion of the ruling PDP. Three years ago, in 2012, the figure was only 7.
“It is a major challenge and something agencies have to deal with,” Lt Gen Subrata Saha, a top army officer said.
The police say the young men -all between the age of 18 and 22 years – are mostly joining the Hizb Ul Mujahideen and are being locally trained to use automatic weapons and explosives.
The ruling People’s Democratic Party-BJP government, which took office four months ago, has blamed the situation on what they call the “nine-year misgovernance” of the erstwhile government.
Security forces are also worried that they are not able to get information about the movement of militants in parts of South Kashmir. Videos and photos of militants have also surfaced on social networking sites.
