Army to extend Operation 'Sarp Vinash' to new areas

Author: Report PTI
Publication: The Free Press Journal
Date: May 28, 2003

As a sequel to Operation 'Sarp Vinash', Army's large-scale anti-military operation in upper reaches of Poonch district, the security forces are poised to launch sustained operations in other inaccessible areas of Jammu and Kashmir where it is suspected militants might have set up fortifications reports PTI. Under Operation codenamed "Sarp Vinash II" army, mostly units of Rashtriya Rifles will carry out intense anti-militancy sweeps in Doda, Shopian, Kulgam, Lolab and Kupwara areas as simultaneously the Romero force would continue its drive south of the Pir Panjal,  highly placed army officials said.  The thrust of the new operations would be the remote Wadhwan and Marwah areas, of the Doda district, where it is suspected that militants have set up fortifications and even facilities to impart militant training to local recruits.  The Army Chief General N. . Vij gave a detailed account of the anti-militancy operations being undertaken to the members of cabinet Committee on Security on Monday, including Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.  The 90 minute presentation was also attended by the Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani, Defence Minister, George Fernandes.  Also present were the Air Chief S. Krishnaswamy, Naval Chief Madhavendra Singh and Intelligence Agency Chiefs.  The presence of the Chief of Air Staff is significant as Air power in the shape of helicopters might be used to destroy some of militant fortifications as was done during Operation Sarp Vinash in Surankot area.

The army anti-militancy drive assumes significance as official figures reveal that there has been no let-up in infiltration levels across the Line of Control (LoC) despite Islamabad's claims to have put restrictions on movement of militant groups in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).  According to these figures 26 militants have been killed during the past week while trying to sneak across the Line of Control, with major attempts reported south of the Pir Panjal in upper reaches of Baramulla and Kupwara,.  Vij at the presentation gave detailed accounts of army commitment presently and its deployment in Jammu and Kashmir as top army brass opposed any thinning of troops.
 

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