Militant outfits shifting base from south Kashmir: Intel

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 24

With mounting pressure from the security forces, militant outfits are noticed to be shifting their bases from south Kashmir to central and northern parts of the Valley, say sources in intelligence agencies.

For the past few years the south Kashmir region, comprising of Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Anantnag districts, has been the hotbed of militancy, particularly after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed by the Army in July 2016.

Intelligence officials said under pressure from the security forces the militant groups were noticed to be shifting their bases from south Kashmir to central and north Kashmir. “The trend is evident from the fact that Srinagar, which according to officials, was relatively free from militancy, there have been eight anti-terror operations and encounters by security forces in and around the city this year,” said a senior intelligence official.