With JeM infiltrators feared to be on the loose, J&K forces expect more from fidayeen after BSF camp attack

The Border Security Force may have efficiently countered the Jaish-e-Mohammed attack  on its camp near the Srinagar airport by killing three militants. But the fight is not yet over as the forces in Jammu and Kashmir believe they have not seen the last from the outfit.

The militants, who were part of a group of around 16 trained and armed terrorists, had infiltrated from Pakistan in August. A senior intelligence officer told  The Times of India  that while some from the group dispersed into Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts of south Kashmir, it is likely that three to four terrorists are in Srinagar alone.

IG Munir Ahmad Khan said that the BSF camp attackers belonged to the same group that unleashed  terror in Pulwama on 26 August. He also added that terrorists that escaped the 25 September, 2016 attack in Uri might also be at large and could carry an attack.

Following the Pulwama attack, Director General of Police SP Vaid had warned in August that the JeM was plotting more attacks. “We have inputs that they are planning strikes on security forces,” he was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times .

In a manner similar to Tuesday’s attack, terrorists had begun firing  indiscriminately around 4.30 am in Pulwama on 26 August. Eight security personnel and three terrorists were killed during the attack. A graffiti that was recovered from the Pulwama encounter site had revealed that they militants belonged to the “Afzal Guru squad”. Intelligence reports have suggested that Tuesday’s attack was carried out by the same squad.

Addressing the media on Wednesday after the wreath laying ceremony for BSF ASI BK Yadav who was killed in the attack, Director-General KK Sharma spoke about the possibility of _fidayeen (_suicide squads of militants) sneaking through the border because of Pakistan’s attitude.

“As long as our ‘friendly neighbour’ does not behave, I think we will expect to have many more attacks,” Sharma said.

He mentioned that it was important for the forces to deal with such acts without causing collateral damage. “The fidayeen are determined. We can’t stop their attacks. They will always manage to come but it is the response which is important. The response of BSF was highly professional.”

JeM militants carried out a fidayeen attack on a BSF camp located near Srinagar International Airport, leaving three jawans injured. They had managed to enter the 182 Battalion camp in the Srinagar’s Humhama area, which is entrusted with security of runway of the Srinagar airport.

The JeM is infamous  for carrying suicide attacks in the Valley. Since 2016, JeM has carried out many attacks on the Line of Control. In April, three Indian Army personnel were killed and four others injured when Jaish militants attacked an army camp at Panjgaon in Kupwara district of north Kashmir.

With inputs from PTI