Islamabad: In yet another possible eyewash, Pakistan has reportedly closed 10-13 terror camps across the line of control in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) area. The move is being seen as an image makeover attempt by Pakistan as it has to face anti-terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) plenary meeting next week where it faces the possibility of being blacklisted for taking no compliance.

Terrorist camps shut down

Indian security agencies had specific input of 16 terror camps being operated from PoK which were being used for training the terrorists and further infiltration in Kashmir. It is being learned that 10-13 terror training camps which were being used by the terrorists and commanders of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) have been shut down. According to sources, these camps were in Shawai Nala camp in Muzaffarabad, Kalch Samhanj and Garhon Jundla camps in Mirpur, Dollai and Sher Kot 1 camps in Muzaffarabad and Fagosh camp in Mirpur.

However, intelligence agencies are also trying to ascertain if they have actually shut down or have shifted their base to an alternate place. As per sources, there has been a significant dip in cases of infiltration of terrorists in India.

Also read: “Onus for sustained peace in South Asia on Islamabad”: White House

Pakistan's fake call for action

While in the past, especially after the 2001 parliament attack and 26/11 Mumbai attack, Pakistan had attempted to show action against terrorism but these were only on papers and it continued to back terrorists. This time the global pressure is much more as FATF will verify proof of action taken by Pakistan.

Similarly, over 100 active terrorists were killed in the Kashmir valley who were wanted for long and were involved in terror recruitment and carrying out the attack in the valley.

Diplomatic pressure by India

Pakistan was forced by India to act against terror organizations working from their soil. After the deadly Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF men lost their lives, India applied diplomatic pressure by reaching out to FATF member nations. Pakistan was placed on the grey list in 2018 was expected to show that it has taken action on this front to avoid being blacklisted.

Moreover, Pakistan's economy is already facing a lot of trouble and further blacklisting will have a devastating cascading effect.

Pakistan may face identity crisis

Pakistan is facing the danger of being downgraded to the blacklist on terror financing in the upcoming FATF plenary meeting which is scheduled to be held in Orlando from June 16 to 21, where such a proposal could be moved.

Pakistan requires votes of at least 15 of FATF’s 36 voting members to move out of the grey list and a minimum of three votes to prevent itself from being blacklisted.

The meeting will decide Pakistan’s future listing even though a formal announcement will only be made at the next FATF plenary scheduled in Paris from October 18 to 23, sources said.