Security forces intensify vigil in J&K

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, OCT. 4. The security forces are intensifying vigil in Jammu and Kashmir following the recent spurt in incidents of terrorist attacks including the suicide bombing at the State Assembly in Srinagar which claimed over 35 lives, senior Defence Ministry officials said here today.

The officials told The Hindu that according to their assessment, the increase in attacks on security forces in general and the suicide attack on the Assembly indicated the ``desperation among militants holed up in the State.''

However, the security forces were competent to handle the situation. The fact that three of the killed militants were ``confirmed'' to be Pakistanis ``clearly showed'' Islamabad's role in fostering terrorism.

The officials were reacting to suggestions whether the increase in incidents belied the prognosis made a fortnight ago on the basis of radio signals intercepted between militants in Jammu and Kashmir and their mentors in Pakistan.

It was then suggested that Pakistan was asking the militants to leave the State and return to Afghanistan.

The Defence Ministry in said to be reviewing the impact of U.S. Commerce Department's paring of the list of Indian companies and institutions barred from receiving dual-use technology from American companies.

Sources said four institutions belonging to the Defence Development Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) still remained on the ``entities list''.

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Section  : National
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