Terror Activities

Rajouri-Poonch sector. The terror infra continues to thrive across the border, in an apparent reference to Pakistan’s support to various terrorist groups, added.

It is learnt that the terrorists operating in the Rajouri-Poonch area are very well-trained in carrying out terror attacks and ambushes.

The Army Chief said his force is focusing on strengthening the human intelligence which includes synergising the Army’s efforts with other agencies, adding having support of the locals is also “extremely crucial” in anti-terror operations.

“We have already taken follow up action,” he said.

The Chief of Army Staff said the Army is also looking at strengthening the ability to use technology to gather intelligence.

“We have enhanced our deployment and also reoriented some of the units,” he said.

At the same time he said the troops have been told to operate professionally.

“My guidance to soldiers and commanders is unambiguous -- in terms of respect for human rights, there will be zero tolerance for any actions on that account,” he said.

“We have clearly laid out guidelines spelling out what you (Army personnel) must do and what you must not do in those areas and for the soldiers to be able to (operate)in a professional manner,” Gen Pande said.

He said there has been an increase in terrorist activities in Rajouri-Poonch region in the last five-six months.

“In the last five to six months, in Rajouri and Poonch, there has been an increase in terrorism. Terrorism in that area was eradicated in 2003 and peace was there till 2017-18,” he said.

“Because of the situation in the valley getting normal, this is one area, our adversaries have been active in, in terms of abetting terrorism, encouraging proxy tanzeems in operating in this area,” he said.

“Under Operation Sadbhavna, we are engaging with the local community (in RajouriPoonch). I personally interacted with the local community there and the army has already adopted the affected village (in Poonch),” he said.

The Army Chief said 45 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three years.