With Pakistan reactivating militant camps along the Line of Control (LoC) and re-emergence of the Al Badr outfit, militancy activities are expected to increase in Jammu and Kashmir in the coming weeks.
Government sources said 225-250 militants are present across the Line of Control and an additional 30-40 militants along the International Border.
Militants have been identified in 14 launch pads. There are launchpads in Tangdhar, Nowgam, Uri, Poonch and Pallanwala areas. There are two launchpads each in Machal, Krishna Ghati and Nowshera areas and three in Bhimber Gali. These are also known potential infiltration routes.
Most of the militants are in the launchpad north of the Pir Panjal hills, their number between 150-165. There are areas 75-85 to the south of the Pir Panjal hills and the rest are across the international border.
Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad remain the dominant groups, while Pakistan is rebuilding the Al Badr outfit. Two camps of Al Badr have been set up near the LoC at Athmuqam and Shardi.
The recruitment of militants is going on in Jammu and Kashmir, although fewer people have joined as compared to last year.
Till the middle of this year, about 60 people have been recruited by the militants. About half of them have joined Lashkar-e-Taiba, a dozen have chosen Hizbul Mujahideen, 11 have been taken by Al Badr and three by Jaish Mohammad.
Between March and May, more than half the militants were recruited in Pulwama (16) and Shopian (15). The numbers are less than last year. During this 81 militants were recruited.
In 2020, 75 people had joined Hizbul Mujahideen, 69 had joined Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad and Al Badr had recruited 23 and 18 people respectively. Sources said that the low number of people being recruited is a good sign for the security forces.