Attention!!! Warning Issued “They can run but they can’t hide”. These are heavy weight words from National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

NSA Ajit Doval told Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while briefing about the actions taken following the terror attack on Amaranth Yatris.

Monday 10^th July a bus carrying seven pilgrims who were returning from Amarnath — a shrine wedged inside a narrow gorge nearly 50 km from Pahalgam, Kashmir was attacked by terrorists. Of the seven killed, six were women. At least 19 people were injured in the attack.

As expected, political leaders condemned the incident and declared that India must “not get bogged down by such cowardly attacks”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Arun Jaitley called it the the most “reprehensible act.” J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said it was an “assault on our (Kashmir’s) values and traditions”.

NSA Ajit Doval

National Security Advisor Ajit dowal is a personality who doesn’t require any introduction. During the Mizo National Front (MNF) insurgency, Ajit Doval won over six of Laldenga’s seven commanders. He spent long periods of time incognito with the Mizo National Army in the Arakan in Burma and inside Chinese territory. From Mizoram, Doval went to Sikkim where he played a role during the merger of the state with India. With such credentials when he says “They can run but they can’t hide” is an indication that “Game is almost Over”.

“They can run but they can not hide”, NSA Ajit Doval issued this 8-word-assurance to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while briefing about the actions taken following the terror attack on Amarnath Yatris.

The NSA has provided a list of of terrorists who have been killed in the last few weeks. The number of terrorists killed is over 50 during the period. Three Hizbul units have been identified as ‘over ground workers’ and their geo-positions have been locked. Two handlers who provided ammo to the terrorists have also been identified. The government is also in possession of a route map that traces the path taken by the terrorists. Thermal sensors-loaded drones which send high-resolution images are being used in the proactive operation to track the terrorists. The National Technical Research Organisation’s tech assistance is also being taken.

Separatists leaders are losing grip

Since then, the pilgrimage has stayed largely conflict-neutral. An Indian Express article suggested that separatists leaders have also been extremely vigilant about keeping the Amarnath yatra out of conversations around the Kashmir conflict because they wanted to flaunt the yatra as evidence of communal harmony in the valley. In the aftermath of the ouster of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley, the article notes, it was important for separatist leaders to insist that Hindus are not persecuted in the state a trouble free Amarnath yatra was proof of it. But attack happened and recent change of wrapping terrorists in ISIS flags and Zakir musa demanding an Islamic state provides evidence that Hurriyat is losing grip.

Terrorists are on final run

Terrorism follow sine wave and that could have frequency as higher as several times a year. In recent past we have seen a spike in terrorist neutralisation and in COIN operations. “The forces have been given a free hand to track and intercept the terrorists holed up in the valley, before launching intelligence-based operations with due mapping of the target and how to neutralise terrorists with minimum collateral damage,” said a senior home ministry functionary.

The official underlined that among the 92 terrorists killed in J&K till July 2, most of the targets were big and prominent terror operatives.

Infiltration figures also show a decline. As against 371 infiltration cases recorded in 2016, 124 were recorded till May-end this year. “Many of these 124 terrorists have been neutralised since,” said a home ministry official. “Not only are pro-active operations being undertaken but the response of the Army and para-military forces to terror attacks against their personnel and installations has improved manifold,” said an officer.

Terror Funding

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on 3^rd June 2017 carried out raids at 23 places in Kashmir, Delhi and Haryana in connection with funding received from Pakistan for terror and violence in the Valley. The searches reinforced what Union home minister Rajnath Singh said a few hours later — that the Centre is determined to “uproot” Pakistan-sponsored terrorism from the Valley and that his government is working for a “permanent solution” to trouble-ridden Kashmir.

That time was ticking away for Kashmir’s separatists became somewhat evident when the NIA raided the premises of the relatives and close associates of Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Shah Geelani, besides other leaders and functionaries of the outfit.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Mr Singh said, “We are working for a permanent solution. I have said this with utmost responsibility.”

Stating that the trouble in Kashmir has been brewing since Independence, he said the “solution to Kashmir may take some time, but we are working towards a Permanent solution”.

Permanent Solution

Security agencies always worked for the country giving their best but we always witnessed working them as different entities

Key Players

The key players in the permanent solution are

• Government of india & NSA
• Indian Army
• Raw & IB
• Enforcement directorate
• State police & Paramilitary forces
• Israel

From the above list I think the most awkward is Israel but yes they are part of comprehensive permanent solution. The experience which Israel carries countering infiltration is needed to choke infiltration which will be executed by Indian Army. RAW & IB have to provide inputs to Enforcement Directorate about money path & Location of terrorists and internal cleansing to be done by State police with Paramilitary force with RR equipped with CASO.  Each of these have a role and they will have to deliver.

Writer’s take

Former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Srinagar based 15 Corps Lt General (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain says the frustration among the terrorist is quite evident from the change in the nature of the conflict

• Unarmed police men attacked
• Unarmed DSP Lynched
• On leave Kashmiri Army lieutenant hacked to death (martyred)

It has increasingly become clear that terrorists do not have any qualms anymore.

In this frustration and fear terrorists are counting their last breath and the streak which Rastriya Rifles are on from Wani to Mattu the end of terrorism in Valley is almost home.