In a major policy shift on counter terrorism strategy in Kashmir, the Narendra Modi government has asked Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to go after the over ground workers [OWGs] of insurgent groups in Kashmir, to dismantle their support network.

According to sources, the intelligence agencies have identified 80 such persons who hold the key to organising anti-India protests and ongoing stone throwing by the mobs in south Kashmir. Many of them belong to an organised socio-religious group which has huge presence in south Kashmir.

“Mehbooba has no choice but to take action against such elements, who have been working in tandem with Pakistan to stoke violence in Kashmir,” a senior functionary of the ruling party who is privy to government’s plans on Kashmir said.

He hinted that evidence against OGW for their involvement in inciting the youth to throw stones and petrol bombs on security forces which is already with the agencies will be pursued and all of them be booked under the law.

The Modi government is however unclear as to whom it would talk in Kashmir for a political solution. Union home minister Rajnath Singh, who reached Srinagar on Wednesday to “talk to the stakeholders” invited all and sundry to meet him in Guest house, Srinagar, for a dialogue.

Separatist leaders like Mirwaiz Moulvi Umer Farooq have already rejected the offer of talks made by the prime minister during his interaction with opposition leaders from the state for the clause that “dialogue will be held in the ambit of the constitution.”

The centre also rushed one company of Border security force [BSF] to Srinagar. “They have been sent to essentially replace CRPF in Lal Chowk area,” sources said denying reports in section of media that 29 companies of BSF have been rushed to Srinagar.