Pakistan now pushing terror preachers into Kashmir-there are close to 250 local recruits and 150 Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir as of now.

J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday (DNA) Shares 80 Abhishek Bhalla | Tue, 25 Apr 2017-07:20am , New Delhi , DNA Told by their 'handlers' to recruit rather than fight In a change of strategy, Pakistan is now pushing in terror ideologues and preachers instead of foot soldiers into Jammu & Kashmir. The brief given to these individuals is fairly simple -- brainwash as many young men, including teenagers, into taking up arms, reveals a recent review done by Intelligence agencies and the army. Sources in the security establishment told DNA that out of the 150 Pakistani terrorists currently operating out of J&K, 40 to 50 have not fired a bullet in recent times, but have become preachers tasked with recruiting and influencing youngsters to take on security forces. Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Dujana, who is active in J&K, is among the Pakistani terrorists who are now preparing the next generation of local militants. Sources told DNA that women and young girls are also being coaxed by these terror commanders to join the stone-pelting mobs. "They have realised being part of terror operations is too much of a risk. Instead, they are focusing on radicalising the youth and launching them into terror activities," said a security official privy to the details of the Intelligence assessment. The recent trend of locals pelting stones at security forces is a fallout of this strategy, sources said. In the last one year, 25 terrorists got away as mobs pelted stones at the forces while a gun-battle was on. Abu Dujana managed to escape twice in these incidents. "The 'preachers' are telling their 'students'to also target civilians," said another official. There have been three recent incidents when locals have been targeted. The tactic has already led to an all time high in local terror recruitment. A recent review done by the army shows there are close to 250 local recruits and 150 Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir as of now. Terrorists have intensified their operations with 18 terror-related incidents reported till now this year. Last year till April, the number was eight. Security agencies are alarmed by the sharp increase in the number of local as well as Pakistani terrorists. Before local Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in July last year, the tally stood at 91 locals and 60 Pakistanis. Wani's killing triggered months of unrest in the state with frequent violent clashes between civilians and security forces. Security forces have managed to kill 40 terrorists this year, gunning down 32 in the hinterland and eight at the LoC. "The high number of kills in the hinterland is an indication that armed terrorists including the recently recruited locals are active," said an army officer.