India: Terror outfit Lashkar’s warning in Kashmir

Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has issued an outrageous warning in Kashmir, telling residents to stop helping defence forces or face death.

In its latest diktat, Lashkar-e-Taiba has put up posters in the Doda district of Kashmir warning locals that all who either serve in the paramilitary forces or the police force will be slaughtered. The posters warn locals who are working in the paramilitary or police force, that they should resign or face consequences. The Lashkar goes on to add that in coming days the group will target 5 SPOs.

Since January this year, more than eight top commanders of LeT have been eliminated by the troops in Doda and adjoining Kishtwa heights jolting the outfit. The men in khaki, especially the Special Police Officials (SPOs) are said to have played a crucial role in getting these commanders eliminated which could have led to these latest threats. Doda has emerged as a nodal point for terrorists to gang up, store arms and ammunition and plot attacks on para-military forces.

Meanwhile, there is a rethinking among forces on continuing with the withdrawal of troops from the Valley in a confidence-building measure. Over 35,000 troops had been reduced in Jammu and Kashmir in the past 15 months, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had told the state legislative assembly on March 17. “Without creating any hype we have reduced 35,000 troops and also decreased the number of central paramilitary forces from internal duty," Abdullah had said.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and separatists in the state had been consistently campaigning for troop reduction as they believe that the presence of the army in Kashmir was intruding into the day-to-day lives of the people and was also responsible for human rights abuses. Omar Abdullah's National Conference is also of the view that an improvement in the security situation necessitates reduction of troops in the Valley.

However, reports of a sharp increase in infiltration of militants received by the Army since the pullout started, is stated to be the reason for a go-slow in the operation.

- Asian Tribune -