The Indian army has quietly moved an entire brigade into South Kashmir as part of operation ‘Calm Down’ to clear it of militants and protesters.
The troops, mobilised from reserves have fanned out in all the four districts of South Kashmir–Pulwama, Shopian, Anantnag and Kulgam.
These districts have borne the brunt of the current spiral of violence in the Valley triggered by the encounter killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, who hailed from this region.
After “clearing” Karimabad area of Pulwama, the troops have moved into Shopian and Kulgam.
The decision was taken after intelligence reports claimed that Kashmiri youth, armed with batons, stones and petrol bombs, were patrolling the arterial roads leading to the National Highway and preventing people from venturing out of their homes or moving towards Srinagar.
There were reports that around 100 militants had crossed into South Kashmir since the unrest broke out after Wani’s killing on July 8.
