Srinagar, October 28: Security agencies have received intelligence inputs confirming the presence of at least four terrorists of Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed in Kashmir valley. Armed with M-4 carbines, these terrorists entered Kashmir valley in early September, and Pakistan's ISI trained them to carry out sniper attacks, security officials said.

Three security personnel have been killed in sniper attacks so far since mid-September, prompting the law enforcement agencies to re-calibrate their strategy to thwart such strikes by Jaish-e-Mohammed. The terrorists used a nearby hillock to launch sniper attacks on security force campuses when unsuspecting jawans were using their mobile phones to talk to their family or friends. Jammu and Kashmir: Gunmen Looted Rs 1 Crore from Vehicle in Kathua District.

“These attacks have been precise, even while targeting a personnel inside a sentry post as he uses his mobile phone. They pick up the light of the mobile phone to carry out the attack on jawans,” a security official told news agency PTI. Security agencies believe at least two separate ‘buddy’ groups of the proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammed comprising two terrorists each have entrenched in Pulwama district with the help of local supporters. Jammu and Kashmir: CISF Top Official Rajesh Kumar Martyred After Terrorists Lob Grenade at Him in Srinagar’s Wagoora Nowgam.

Following the warning of sniper attacks, security agencies, including army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir police, have already issued fresh guidelines to their jawans and officers located in camps in the militancy-hit areas. Officials said that Jaish cadres were likely to carry out more such attacks in the future, but added that some modules had been identified and these cases were likely to be cracked soon.

The security agencies had been observing that while pushing the terrorists into Kashmir Valley from the Line of Control (LoC), ISI meticulously planned to send in Jaish-e-Mohammed cadre along. Those terrorists were armed with the best possible arsenal including bullets with steel core – with the capability to pierce a static bullet proof bunker used during counter-terrorism operations, the officials said.

At the United Nations, India has been seeking a ban the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group and designation of its chief Maulana Masood Azhar as global terrorist, but its efforts have been blocked by China four times so far. (With PTI inputs)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2018 06:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).