Officials explained that terrorists usually get more traction in urban areas as compared to attacks in rural areas.The recent grenade blasts in Srinagar has also raised eyebrows in the security establishment, because attacks of this magnitude have not taken place in the area in recent times.Also, it is certain districts in South Kashmir such as Pulwama, Anantnag and Shopian that are the hotbed of terrorist activities as compared to Central Kashmir. However, security forces have not only strengthened their intelligence network, but also beefed up security arrangements in light of Republic Day.In Srinagar, one of the most recent attacks was terrorists lobbing a grenade at Central Reserve Police Force bunker in Lal Chowk on Friday. Merely a couple of hours before this incident, terrorists had hurled a grenade on police personnel at Zero Bridge in the city. Such incidents are likely to raise alarm bells because of the densely populated pockets here.Terrorist organisations will also attempt to mobilise youth to disrupt operations, raising the possibility of collateral damage. Officials added that terrorists could attempt to carry out grenade attacks on security forces’ camps, convoys, suicide attacks and targeting local politicians to prevent them from taking part in the electoral process.Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh earlier this week said that the number of terrorists killed in 2018 was the highest in the last 10 years.

Source: Economic Times January 20, 2019 18:00 UTC