Srinagar: In an alarming situation, around 10-15 educated youths from Kashmir may have been recruited by various terrorist organisations operating in the region, according to a report from the intelligence agencies.
In a report submitted to the Centre, the security agencies have highlighted increase in the activities of the militant organisations in the Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the use of online medium and social networking websites by the terror operators to recruit the local youths.
Several terrorist organisations, including Hizbul Mujahideen, have posted pictures of their members online to lure local youths.
Army had earlier expressed concern over recruitment of educated youths into terror outfits.
Highlighting concern, General Officer Commanding-In-Chief (GoC-In-C), Northern Command, Lt Gen DS Hooda, while speaking to PTI, had said that there are attempts to attract the youth by such groups through social media which is having “some impact” and steps are needed to counter it.
“The manner, in which they (terror groups) use social media and how they manage to engage the youth, is serious. So these are issues we need to look at more seriously," the Army commander said.
He termed the trend of recruitment of Kashmir youths in militant ranks as a "new tragedy" for Kashmir.
The axis from Tral, Batapora, Panjgaon and Yaripora in South Kashmir is witnessing dominance of terror group Hizbul Mujahideen, while in the other axis from Palhalan to Sopore this group as well as few militants of Jaish-e-Mohammed are calling the shots, say police officials.
Security analysts said that local recruitment, which had come down to a trickle, has picked up suddenly from January this year.
Since March this year, nearly 50 boys have reportedly vanished from the Valley with Awantipora in South Kashmir accounting for nearly 15 of them followed by Kulgam (nine), Shopian (seven), Anantnag (eight) and 11 from North Kashmir.
(With PTI Inputs)
