India is bracing for more militancy in the battle-scarred region of Kashmir, believing that fighters now focused on resisting US-led troops in Afghanistan will shift toward the Himalayan flashpoint with Pakistan.
Some say increased violence recently along India’s heavily militarised border with Pakistan proves that shift is already underway.
As a result, India is increasing use of drones, thermal sensors and foot patrols as it tries to catch out any battle-hardened militants moving through the forested mountains near the frontier. At the same time, India’s troops have increasingly been engaging in skirmishes with Pakistan’s military.
Rebels “are testing us. They’re making their presence felt by launching audacious attacks,” an Indian army commander in Kashmir said on condition of anonymity in line with army policy. “They have started recruiting young people into their folds. They are training some of these boys locally.”
US officials and experts acknowledge there are valid concerns Though the US government has not discussed such a risk publicly the chief of its forces in the Pacific says the US is increasingly discussing terrorist movements with countries in the region.