Assembly elections are near in J & K and the militants in the State are getting frantic. This is evident from step-up in their strikes. Their most deadly hit recently has been at an Army convoy at the Narbal crossing on the Srinagar-Baramulla road at the outskirts of the Summer Capital on Saturday. There can't be two opinions that they had planted the IED well in advance. The targeted thoroughfare witnesses hectic vehicular movement nearly all through the day. It is also possible that they may have conceived their evil move well aware that sooner or later an Amy bus would pass through the route. This is not the first militant offensive on this passage. Certainly, however, it is one of the most devastating.

Banihal town in this region on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway is the focus of their attention for quite some time. It has been exposed to a grenade attack in which more than two dozen persons have been wounded. The adjoining Doda district is witnessing kidnappings at regular intervals. In a bizarre happening the militants have cut the hair of two girls in Doda district. Last week there was a grenade blast in Gulmarg resulting in the death of a tourist. One will find that the pattern is the same that is witnessed every time the polls are held. First, the disruptive elements target the men in uniform. Their intention is to spread a word about their reach and weaponry. Then, they go in for candidates and their public meetings.

The militants may be more hopeful of forcing the people to stay indoors this time in elections. Members of an unlikely alliance often attacked as an unholy alliance. It can’t be denied either that their assertive approach has seen every political organization in the Valley playing to their tune on the land allotment issue. Their calculation, however, that their sway will extend to the elections is bound to prove wrong. In fact, the credibility and possibly the survival of the NC depends upon the distinction it is able to underline the likes of Mr. Geelani, the party’s long-time rival. There are other parties as well like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Congress that are determined to take the electoral plunge apart from a host of smaller groups and independents. For their part the people have responded enthusiastically to all elections and by-elections during the last decade. The priority of the Government should, therefore, be to ensure that the militants are strictly kept under check.

One is constrained to note that Pakistan is not able to rein in militant outfits operating from its soil and the territory under its control.  The people in the neighboring country are for an emphatic no to terrorism. In fairness to their governments in the last few years they have exhibited the spirit to sternly tackle the pernicious phenomenon. Terrorism on our soil is our headache and we have to uproot it lock, stock and barrel. Anyone trying to subvert democratic processes in the State deserves no sympathy.