Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, September 26

Almost a year after the Army carried out surgical strikes on militant launch pads along the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, militancy-related violence as well as infiltration attempts haven’t abated.After the surgical strikes on September 29 morning, 78 security men (including 58 this year) have been killed in militant attacks or ceasefire violations in the region. At least 175 militants (24 last year) have also been killed in Kashmir during the same period.On September 18, 2016, an Army base close to the LoC was stormed by a group of four fidayeen of the Lashkar-e-Toiba. The deadly attack, which claimed lives of 19 soldiers, was followed by the Army Special Forces launching surgical strikes on militant launch pads in PoK. After the strikes, the Army had claimed to have destroyed several launch pads of militants.However, these launch pads, sources said, had become active again. After the strikes, militants haven’t stopped coming from across. While the infiltration attempts have been more this year, the Army has been able to eliminate 56 militants along the LoC since January. Last year, in the three months after the surgical strikes at least six militants were killed along the LoC while attempting to sneak into the Valley.The intentions from across had become clear only days after the surgical strikes. On October 6, four militants were killed as the Army foiled an infiltration bid in the Nowgam sector — wherefrom the strikes were carried out. It was the first infiltration bid after the strikes.The Army officers on the ground say that the surgical strikes were not aimed at finishing militancy, but it was aimed at conveying a strong message to Pakistan and to the world.“With surgical strikes we were able to achieve the aim at the geopolitical and strategic levels. A strong message was also conveyed to Pakistan. Yes, on a day-to-day basis probably it has not helped as the number of attempts from across to push militants has not reduced. It has also not deterred Pakistan on this front. But the other side has a clear message now that any action will have a reaction and that is what they had never thought,” said an Army officer, wishing not to be named.He said the number of fatalities was on rise as the security forces had been on an offensive after the last year’s unrest.“This year, policemen were targeted and with incidents like lynching in mind, they have hit back. With intelligence inputs, the police and forces have been jointly been able to kill a large number of militants, including top commanders,” he added.Another officer said there were high fatalities of the forces as operations against militants had been stepped up.A section of police officers on the ground maintain that nothing has changed after the strikes. “There is no change in the Pakistan policy on Kashmir. It continues to push in militants to keep the pot boiling in the Valley,” a police officer of the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police said.‘A strong message for Pakistan’  

• Army officers on the ground say that the surgical strikes were not aimed at finishing militancy, but it was aimed at conveying a strong message to Pakistan and to the world
• “On a day-to-day basis probably it has not helped as the number of attempts from across to push militants has not reduced. But the other side has a clear message now that any action will have a reaction,” said an Army officer

After surgical strikes

Militants killed        175   (73 locals, 102 foreigners) 
Security men killed  78  (38 from Army 30 police, 7 CRPF, 2 BSF, 1 SSB)2016 (Before surgical strikes)
Security forces killed  62
Militants killed 103Entire 2016
Security men killed 88
Militants killed 1652015 
Security men killed 36
Militants killed 952014 
Security men killed 40
Militants killed 1012013 
Security men killed 53
Militants killed 672012 
Security men killed 17
Militants killed 84