By Gautam Datt
New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): The Pulwama attack has brought the focus on the rapidly spreading radicalization through internet in the Valley which is inspiring the youth to adopt global terrorist practices such as suicide bombing.
Officials said 20-year-old Adil Ahmad Dar, who recorded a video calling upon the Kashmiri youth to wage a war against India before blowing up a bus carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) bus in Pulwama, was a product of e-jihad which is spreading like a wild fire.
The role being played by internet in glamorizing terrorism first became imminent after the killing of Burhan Wani in 2016. Wani was launched on the social media before he acquired a cult status after his killing, inspiring many youngsters to take up arms.
Realizing the trend of youngsters becoming terrorists, 15 Corps Commander Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon cautioned mothers in the Valley not to let their sons take up arms as the Army would hunt them down.
The security forces fear that the Pulwama incident could lead to a chain reaction where suicide bombing may become a norm. It is often seen in conflict zones that one such incident is repeated.
More terrorists were killed last year than anytime in the recent past, but the civilian and security forces' casualties have also gone up substantially. The pressure by security forces is not deterring youngsters from joining the ranks of terror organizations.
The officials said that global Islamic literature is easily accessible. The agencies are following more than a dozen websites that have seen substantial traffic from the Valley. It is often seen that cultural tradition of martyrdom is celebrated on the internet leading to a frenzy. The emotional sentiments are exploited by Pakistan's ISI which actively propagates religious terrorism.
A wave of radicalization is sweeping through South Kashmir which is the hotbed of terrorism as a new breed of smart phone carrying youngsters are getting inspired to become stone-pelters or take up arms
Madrasas, too, have come up all across the region where teachers from Deoband and not local Kashmiris, are imparting religious education.