The country’s top security establishments have prepared a blueprint to deliver a lethal blow to terrorists in the Valley after end of Ramzan ceasefire. A list of 250 to 300 terrorists has been prepared who would be hunted down in the next few weeks. In the last three years, the Army has gunned down 600 hardcore terrorists in the Valley.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh held a high-level meeting at his residence with Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, and senior officials of the Intelligence Bureau and his Ministry to assess the ground situation in the sensitive State on Tuesday.

Sources said as many as 250 to 300 terrorists from Lashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT), Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed have been shortlisted by the Intelligence and security agencies for Operation All-Out in parts of the region.

“The prime locations of terrorist activities were mapped during the Ramzan ceasefire. Intelligence agencies have carried out a secret district-wise survey to identify terrorist hideouts. This strategic operation is based on meticulous planning and Intelligence-gathering,” sources added.

Sources added as part of its new strategy, Pakistan-based ISI has asked the LeT and the Hizbul Mujahideen to focus on North Kashmir, while leaving South Kashmir to the more “aggressive” Jaish-e-Mohammad, which is almost entirely made up of foreign mercenaries. The Jaish terrorists are considered to be “stronger” than the local youths who comprise the Lashkar and Hizbul.

The security agency officials said the highly-volatile Shopian and Pulwama districts in South Kashmir continued to contribute more youth to the terrorists groups which included outfits like ISIS-Kashmir and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind, a group which claims support of the al-Qaeda.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Wednesday, 20 June 2018 | Rajesh Kumar | New Delhi