In the wake of back-to-back killings of two innocents by a terrorist in Kashmir earlier this week, the security forces have launched a major operation to nab Abu Muslim, a top Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) commander. He is reportedly responsible for the murder of these youths to terrorise the local population of Hajin in North Kashmir.

As the terrorist has achieved his aim to some extent as “people are losing faith in the law and order machinery to protect them”, local commanders of security forces fear these killings may lead to exodus from this densely populated area. Abu Muslim infiltrated into Kashmir from Pakistan in 2016 and has since managed to evade police. He is now one of the emerging leaders of terrorists.

Admitting that the “situation is precarious”, officials in the security establishment said here on Saturday that Abu Muslim resorted to the killing of the two youths to send a message that his writ runs large in the area. Explaining this aspect, sources said he had infiltrated with a group of eight to 10 ultras in 2016 and most of his compatriots were killed in encounters last year. However, he has managed to rope in some foreign and local terrorists into his group and committed these murders, including decapitating Manzoor Ahmed Bhat, in an effort to establish his supremacy over other groups, they said.

Not ruling out the possibility of local people moving out of Hajin, which is about 25 to 30 km from Srinagar, to escape Abu Muslim’s terror, officials said the large-scale operation to nab him is extremely difficult given the high risk of collateral damage.

Dotted with at least 20-odd mohallas, Hajin has narrow lanes making it easy for terrorists to evade security forces, officials said, adding the foreign terrorists have some local support to sustain themselves.

North Kashmir bordering Line of Control (LoC) is the infiltration route for terrorists and this area at present has nearly 100-odd ultras. Out of them, 60 per cent are foreign terrorists who are highly motivated and well trained. They will try to attempt audacious attacks on sensitive locations in Srinagar in the coming days before returning to safe houses in Hajin, officials said.

Against this backdrop, the anti-insurgency grid comprising Army, paramilitary and the local police have stepped up patrolling in Hajin.

One of the main purpose for intense patrolling is to put pressure on ultras including Abu Muslim to commit a mistake by exposing themselves and falling into the security net. He has managed to remain hidden in Hajin thereby making it all the more important for the security forces to get him before Abu Muslim carries out another strike.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Sunday, 08 April 2018 | Rahul Dutta | New Delhi