GS Paper III
News Excerpt:
The recent terrorist attacks in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) underscore a troubling shift in militant focus from the traditionally volatile Kashmir Valley to the relatively peaceful Jammu region.
Background:
- Jammu and Kashmir have long been a hotspot of militant activity, with the Kashmir Valley being the epicenter of insurgency for decades.
- However, in recent years, a noticeable shift has occurred, with militants increasingly targeting the Jammu region.
- This shift can be attributed to several factors, including increased security presence and intelligence operations in the Valley, which have made it more difficult for militants to operate there.
- Additionally, the strategic importance of Jammu as a gateway to the rest of India makes it an attractive target for militants seeking to disrupt normalcy and instill fear.
Is a new pattern emerging?
- The attacks follow a pattern that suggests concerted attempts to revive militancy in the Jammu region over the past three years — in the Chenab Valley comprising Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Kathua, Udhampur, and Reasi districts and south of the Pir Panjal comprising Rajouri and Poonch districts.
- The resurgence of militant activity in the Jammu belt, which has remained free of such incidents in the past two decades, has sent alarm bells ringing among the security establishment.
- This region was a hotbed of militancy in the late 1990s and the early 2000s.
- These incidents are not isolated; they are part of a broader pattern of escalating violence aimed at destabilizing the region and undermining public confidence in the government’s ability to maintain security.
What does the data show?
- Since 2021, the Jammu region has witnessed 31 terror incidents in which we lost 47 security personnel and 19 civilians other than 48 terrorists who were killed in various encounters.
- The Kashmir Valley, meanwhile, reported 263 terror incidents in which we lost 68 security personnel and 75 civilians.
- As many as 417 alleged terrorists have also been killed in the Valley since 2021.
- A plain reading of numbers shows that incidents in Jammu remain far fewer than in the Valley, yet it is the frequency and the nature of attacks, targeting pilgrims and security forces that is worrying.
What could be the possible reasons?
- After the 2020 Galwan clashes in eastern Ladakh, in which 20 soldiers were martyred, a large contingent of the Army was pulled out of Jammu and deployed along the China border.
- This led to the thinning of the security grid, making the area vulnerable, pointed out security experts.
- Inimical elements in the neighborhood want to engage and exhaust India at both fronts — the western (Pakistan) and northern (China) borders as part of a design.
- As there is a heightened state of alert in the Kashmir Valley and little legroom for state-sponsored terrorists, it is convenient to launch terror attacks in Jammu where the guard is relatively down.
- Post-reading of Article 370 in J&K in August 2019, and based on indicators such as zero stone-throwing events, no strikes, and a boom in tourism, the government has claimed huge success in the Kashmir Valley in terms of the overall security scenario.
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- Reviving terrorism in Jammu upsets this narrative.
- Another possibility is that [militants are trying] to stabilize cadres in the Kashmir Valley while they take up insecurities in Jammu.
- The demography of the area is such that the attacks could flare up communal tensions too, leading to social unrest.
- The diverse and often difficult terrain of Jammu and Kashmir poses a significant challenge for security forces.
- The dense forests, mountainous regions, and porous borders with Pakistan provide militants with ample hiding spots and routes for infiltration.
Implications of these attacks:
- Firstly, they indicate a need for the government to adapt its security strategies to address the changing dynamics of militant activities.
- Secondly, they underscore the importance of community engagement and cooperation in countering terrorism.
- Finally, they highlight the necessity of addressing the underlying socio-economic issues that often fuel militancy.
How is the infiltration happening?
- The 192-km international border (IB) along Jammu is secured by the Border Security Force (BSF) while the 740-km Line of Control (LoC), the effective border in the Kashmir Valley and parts of Jammu, is under the operational control of the Army.
- Officials said though measures are in place, tough terrain and forested areas along the LoC and vulnerable patches along the IB may have been used for fresh infiltration.
Way Forward:
- Building and maintaining trust between security forces and local communities is crucial. In many cases, militants exploit local grievances and mistrust of authorities to gain support and cover.
- Winning the hearts and minds of the local population is therefore essential for long-term peace and stability.
- The role of external actors, particularly Pakistan, in supporting and abetting militant activities in J&K cannot be overlooked. Cross-border terrorism remains a persistent threat, necessitating robust border security measures and international diplomatic efforts to hold accountable those who provide sanctuary to militants.
- Strengthening intelligence capabilities is paramount. This includes investing in advanced surveillance technologies, enhancing human intelligence (HUMINT) networks, and fostering greater inter-agency coordination.
- In 2003, the Army launched Operation Sarp Vinaash near Hilkaka in the Poonch sector. In the aerial attacks, more than 60 terrorists, who had entrenched themselves in bunkers and trenches in the forest, were killed.
- Real-time intelligence sharing between various security agencies can significantly improve response times and operational effectiveness.
- Given the role of cross-border infiltration in sustaining militancy, enhancing border security is crucial. This includes deploying advanced surveillance systems, increasing border patrols, and fortifying vulnerable points along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).
- Development programs that focus on education, employment, and infrastructure can provide alternative pathways for the youth, reducing their susceptibility to militant recruitment.
- Addressing the ideological roots of militancy is essential for long-term peace. Counter-radicalization programs that promote moderate religious teachings, interfaith dialogue, and community resilience against extremist ideologies can help prevent the spread of radicalism.
- Establishing and equipping specialized counter-terrorism units with advanced training and technology can improve the ability to conduct precise and effective operations against militants. These units should be capable of rapid deployment and equipped to handle a variety of scenarios.
- Proactive measures, such as conducting regular security drills, maintaining high alert levels, and conducting thorough searches at checkpoints, can deter militant activities. Preemptive measures, such as disrupting militant financing networks and arresting key operatives before they can execute attacks, are equally important.
