New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) In a bid to rebuild and revive its terror network in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has been trying to set up a group of completely new overground workers (OGWs).

The OGW network, crucial for terror operations in the Valley has largely fallen, following an intense crackdown by the Indian security agencies.

An official said that the new OGW network is being set up because most of them, part of the old or existing guard, have police records against them.

The ones with police records are easy to track and this information has been used several times by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to nab these OGWs, the official added.

While attempts are being made to send in foreign fighters to Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan realises that they cannot operate without a strong OGW network.

This is the network that facilitates the movement of terrorists, their shelter, food and logistics.

“The presence of a strong OGW network is key to a successful terrorist strike by terrorists. Hence, Pakistan is shunning many within the existing guard and looking for newer ones,” the official said.

Some of the men who are on the target list include shopkeepers, tour guides and unemployed youth.

Another official said that Pakistan would not entirely dismantle its OGW network.

“It would have a couple of them from the old guard to be part of the network. These persons have experience and would be needed to train the newer lot,” the official added.

The ISI is also attempting to get the youth of Jammu and Kashmir onboard. It is attempting to restart its earlier programme through which the ISI would sponsor the education of the youth.

The education would be imparted in top universities and colleges abroad. They would pick countries such as the US, UK and Australia for the education of the youth. Like in the past, they would avoid taking the students to Pakistan and imparting education. This would become too obvious and Pakistan would want to avoid that.

“Once abroad, the Pakistani agents would get in touch with these students and radicalise them. The ISI will push money for the education of the youth discreetly so that the funding trail is not traced. Once their education and radicalisation programme is completed, they would return to Jammu and Kashmir where they would be expected to further the ISI’s narrative and rope in more youth,” an official said.

These developments make it clear that Pakistan is desperate to reset its Kashmir plans.

A lot has changed in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370. The Indian government has been getting the youth into the mainstream and telling them to shun supporting terror and move away from the separatist mindset.

Pakistan on the other hand is facing heat from its terror groups and hardliners regarding the Kashmir issue.

The establishment is being questioned about the lack of action in Jammu and Kashmir and why things have quietened down.

A majority of Pakistan’s policy is shaped around Kashmir and in the context of local politics, raking up this issue is important for the ISI and Army.

Off late, the infiltrations have been hard owing to heavy security. Hence, Pakistan is trying to take baby steps and trying to reshape the narrative.

For this, it has decided to start from the ground level by rebuilding its OGW network.

“At the same time, it wants to re-capture the minds of the youth in Kashmir. This explains why it wants to restart its education funding programme. This program in reality is not an educational programme, but one that is aimed at radicalisation,” an official added.

–IANS

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