Sources in agencies said that the main recruiter was Pakistani Jaish Commander Babar, who was killed recently in an encounter with security forces in Shopian

The most discount given to terror outfits in Jammu and Kashmir by the Centre on the request of Mehbooba Mufti had done major damage, as fresh recruitment at the local level has increased. According to police, around 19 local educated youths have joined Jaish-e-Mohammed’s terror outfit. 

Behind the scene, Mehbooba had hoped to bring the situation back to normal in South Kashmir, ahead of Assembly and Parliamentary elections. Jammu and Kashmir police’s inputs suggest that Jaish’s cadre in the area is getting stronger, especially in Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama.

SSP Pulwama Mohd Aslam told Mirror, “Around 15 Pakistani Jaish terrorists are in Pulwama district, and three of them are improvised explosive device experts.”

He said, “Many young men are now gravitating towards Jaish which is seen as more organised and better funded than other groups like Hizbul.”

Sources in agencies said that the main recruiter was Pakistani Jaish Commander Babar, who was killed recently in an encounter with security forces in Shopian.

“Babar had spent more time in South Kashmir, and had infiltrated three years ago. He has done more damage by recruiting around 19 locals into the terror group. Jaish had been wiped out from the Valley, but has now used the old Harkat -ul - Ansar network to revive itself.

In the last two years, Jaish had executed the deadliest attacks on security bases in Jammu and Kashmir.