Centre finalises measures to counter attempts to destabilise border states

Taking cognisance of alarming activities aimed at destabilising several border states of the country, the Centre is preparing an extensive strategy to counter the situation. The action plan is likely to be put into operation soon after the results of the present round of Assembly elections are announced on 11 March. To commence with, a massive exercise may be initiated in Jammu and Kashmir to cope with rising militancy inspired by pro Pakistan elements, who are responsible for targeting our security forces. A rather stern view is understood to have been taken to contain Islamist radicalisation and terrorism. The Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat’s warning to militants and their overground supporters is perhaps the first indication of the changed attitude and approach within the country’s security establishment.

What has become a matter of intense concern is that the possibility is not completely ruled out of certain political players belonging to political organisations being involved in these attempts at fomenting trouble in these states. Indian intelligence agencies have been keeping a close watch on the developments taking place in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh and some other regions as well and are trying to ascertain whether the pattern that was emerging was purely coincidental or externally engineered.

However, taking no chances, the Centre is going ahead with a blueprint, which could involve coercive use of force against those who were either abetting or facilitating terrorism. There is a varied strategy for each of the states—the unfolding of which will come to fore