An alert has been sounded in Kashmir valley to prevent large scale grenade explosions targeting the security forces in the backdrop of Jaish-e-Muhammad outfit’s plans to observe anniversary of a gun-battle that Muslims fought during Prophet’s time fourteen hundred years ago. On Friday three explosions occurred in south Kashmir region targeting paramilitaries and residence of a ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) legislator.

The security grid has received inputs about possibility of attacks on security formations during first two days of June.

Security sources said at least 20 Pakistani Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorirsts have infiltrated through Pir Panchal Poonch area along the Line of Control. The infiltrators have fanned out in several parts of south Kashmir region. Sources said that militants are equipped with explosives and automatic rifles and have potential to carry out attacks on security personnel and formations.

Informed sources said that most of the new infiltrators belong to pan-Islamic Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) outfit who have got in contact with over-ground workers. They said that a large number of hand grenades have been distributed among the over-ground workers to up the ante in the backdrop of anniversary of the Battle of Badr, a battle fought in Arabia during Prophet Muhammad’s time when a handful of Muslims emerged triumphant over a large army of adversaries. The anniversary is observed on 17th day of Ramadhan falling on Saturday.

Security sources said the intelligence inputs have been taken seriously and necessary instructions and alert have been issued for various security agencies for commanding and supervising area domination patrol. Quick Action Teams have been deployed for necessary action if violent incidents took place.

The central Government has announced a unilateral 30-day non-initiation of combat operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month of fasting. However, the militant outfits have not reciprocated the ceasefire as they continued attacking security formations and patrols. At least one soldier was killed in Kakapora area of Pulwama while an armoured vehicle of the Army was targeted with an Improvised Explosive

Device (IED) in Shopian earlier this week. The JeM outfit claimed responsibility for the IED blast.

Meanwhile, unidentified militants fired upon a vehicle of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at Eidgah crossing in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Friday morning. Militants also attacked CRPF camp by hurling hand grenade in Batagund Tral area of Pulwama district late last night. However, no loss of life or injury was reported in both the incidents.

In another incident, three CRPF personnel, a police cop and a civilian pedestrian were injured after militants attacked joint patrolling party of CRPF and J&K Police by lobbing hand grenade at Khanabal in south Kashmir’s Anantnag. Security sources said that all the injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

They said the security forces cordoned off the area and search operation launched to nab the attackers.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident militants attacked residence of ruling PDP legislator Mushtaq Ahmad Shah with a grenade at Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district. There was no immediate report of any casualties. A day ago, a rifle grenade exploded in the residential premises of a slain National Conference Muhamamd Subhan Bhat in the same area. Bhat and his two sons have been killed by militants in the past in separate attacks. His eldest son Muhammad Ashraf contested the last assembly election and is presently residing in the house under tight security.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Saturday, 02 June 2018 | Khursheed Wani | Srinagar