The Hindu : ITBP for new strategy to counter insurgency in J&K

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 10, 2002

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Other States - Jammu & Kashmir

ITBP for new strategy to counter insurgency in J&K

New Delhi June 9. With militants resorting to new terror tactics in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has decided to adopt a strategy of "target-oriented intelligence collection".

The ITBP, which has deployed 11 battalions in the State and is planning to raise the number of personnel in view of the infiltration from across the border, has decided to adopt a strategy based on specific and target-oriented intelligence inputs to make its counter-insurgency operations more effective, its Director-General, S.C. Chaube, said.

Pointing out that even after the Pakistani assurances to curb infiltration, there was a continuous inflow of militants, he said the number of militant casualties had increased compared to those in previous years. Last year, 19 militants were killed by ITBP personnel and many others apprehended while 18 kg. of explosives and a large quantity of ammunition recovered.

Mr. Chaube said the Jawahar Tunnel, through which essentials for Army personnel and civilians in far-flung areas of the State are transported, was a major militant target. In the last eight months, militants had tried many times to "seriously damage" the tunnel but ITBP personnel, along with those from other agencies, had foiled their designs.

Plans were on to modernise the 33,000-strong force and acquire sophisticated weaponry both from domestic and international manufacturers. "The force will acquire the INSAS series of weaponry, which is already being used by the Army, in five phases spread over 10 years."

While two phases were over, the third to acquire weapons such as Light Machine Guns was in progress. The force would also acquire Karl Gustaf rocket launchers and MP5 submachine guns.

The ITBP, which has 32 battalions at present, had been permitted to raise another 38 companies. Of these, 13 had already been raised and would be shortly positioned in Jammu and Kashmir and the India-China border.

"Our human rights track record has been excellent. There is not a single case of violation reported anywhere. This has been acknowledged even by the National Human Rights Commission," he said. "It is because the ITBP personnel think that changing the heart of locals can go a long way in solving the problem of terrorism in that area.''

The force has also been working towards improving the conditions in remote and backward areas. Each battalion had been asked to adopt one village and work for its all-round development and also create awareness on social issues such as health and education. The ITBP had adopted 24 villages, including rural settlements, in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Chaube added.

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