The ground assessment report of intelligence agencies regarding the ongoing clashes in the Kishtwar region submitted to the Union home ministry points towards the possible involvement of overground workers (OGWs) having links with separatist elements in the Kashmir Valley in the incident. The report also goes on too reveal that the state government had been warned of a “simmering discontent in the Kishtwar region which could eventually snowball into violence”.’
Highly-placed sources in the home ministry admitted that prima facie it appears the state government ignored the warning of intelligence agencies. The country’s top intelligence apparatus also suspects that Pakistani agencies like the ISI could be fuelling violence through its network of OGWs and even underground operatives.
The ISI has been known to be using various “tools” ranging from armed militancy to civil disobedience movement in the Valley, like the one witnessed in 2010, to cause unrest in J&K. Sources claim the Kishtwar clashes could yet be another ploy of Pak-based operatives to trigger unrest in the state.
According to intelligence inputs forwarded to the home ministry here, some of the OGWs are even mixed up with local politicians and are fuelling trouble in the region. Thus, what is now causing concern among security agencies in the state is that there are at least 75,000 armed civilians in the Kishtwar area. If trouble escalates “mischievous elements” could try and take advantage of situation making it more violent.
Intelligence sources said of the 75,000 weapons as many as many as 45,000 are with the representatives of the village defence committees (VDCs) who have provided arms by security forces for fighting militancy. In addition, there are more than 30,000 weapons, both licensed and illegal, in possession of civilians in the region which sources said was a matter of “grave concern”.’
The home ministry has communicated to the state government and the security forces to immediately crackdown and seize weapons till the situation comes under control. Sources said security forces have been categorically directed to deal the situation firmly after the initial delayed response in tackling the violence.