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Among the terrorists killed in the last few months, many were new terrorists. This is a matter of concern for the security forces.
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New Delhi: 65 'A' grade Pakistani terrorists are present in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Significantly, when it comes to local terrorists, their numbers are steadily decreasing. Currently, the number of local terrorists has fallen below ten.
Among the terrorists killed in the last few months, many were new terrorists. This is a matter of concern for the security forces. If there has been a new entry of terrorists from across the border, where is it coming from?
Therefore, while Indian security forces are vigilant along the border, the new entry raises the question of whether there is a loophole somewhere through which terrorists are entering Jammu and Kashmir.
Reliable sources within the security forces have not ruled out the possibility of this entry through the Nepal or Bangladesh border. Around 120 terrorists are reported to be present at launch pads in Pakistan, ready to infiltrate.
Around 120 terrorists are present on the launch pad.
According to reliable sources in central agencies, the next two to three months could be challenging for Indian security forces. Of the terrorists present in the valley, 60 are foreign (Pakistani) terrorists, while only seven are local terrorists.
This number may vary. All intelligence agencies are carefully analyzing these data. Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah recently stated in a high-level review meeting on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir that winter is approaching.
Therefore, our security forces must be fully prepared to prevent cross-border terrorists from taking advantage of the snowfall to infiltrate. In addition to Pakistan, vigilance has been increased on the borders with Nepal and Bangladesh. The Border Security Force (BSF) is using technical equipment for border surveillance.
Trained on the 'Afghanistan' front
Sources indicate that a dozen Pakistani-origin terrorists present in the valley have been trained on the 'Afghanistan' front. Reaching these terrorists is no less a challenge for the security forces. These terrorists fall into the "A" category.
The number of local terrorists in the Valley is rapidly decreasing, but the presence of "A" terrorists of Pakistani origin makes the threat of terrorist attacks in J&K persistent. These terrorists have not yet lost local support.
Their facilitators, known as "overground workers," are active in many places. This remains a matter of concern for the security forces. With the help of these facilitators, these terrorists are able to carry out major attacks.
Infiltration Attempts Possible in Winter
Recently, BSF Kashmir Frontier Inspector General (IG) Ashok Yadav stated that numerous reports of infiltration attempts into J&K continue to flow. Intelligence reports indicate that there are terrorist launching pads across the border.
The BSF, along with the Army, is extremely vigilant along the Line of Control. Infiltration has been curbed in the recent past. It is not true that terrorists, who are waiting for infiltration from launching pads across the border, do not attempt to cross the border.
They try, but fail. Their plans are thwarted by the vigilance of Indian security forces. Infiltration attempts are expected to increase during the winter. The BSF monitors the border using modern surveillance equipment.
Approximately 125 terrorists are present across the border. After analyzing intelligence, the Border Security Force (BSF) coordinates operational planning with all other forces to prevent infiltration.
High-ranking trained terrorists killed
In the past few years, several major encounters have taken place between security forces and terrorists in various areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Four soldiers, including Army Captain MV Pranjal, Captain Shubham, and Havildar Majid, were martyred in an encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Bajimal area of Rajouri.
One of the two terrorists killed in the Rajouri encounter was a Pakistani terrorist named "Quari." He was a high-ranking terrorist of the Pakistani terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He had been trained on the Pakistan/Afghanistan front.
In most major encounters in J&K, high-ranking, trained terrorists have been killed. In September 2023, in an encounter in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district, the Indian Army's Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Commanding Officer (Colonel) Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish, and DSP Humayun Bhatt of the Jammu and Kashmir Police were martyred.
Two other soldiers also lost their lives in the encounter. This was the first incident in Jammu and Kashmir since 2020 in which an Army commanding officer was martyred.
Several Infiltration Attempts Failed
Sources say that while there have been no major infiltrations along the border for some time, terrorists from Pakistan continue to attempt to infiltrate into J&K. Security forces have foiled several infiltration attempts along the border.
Security agencies are concerned about whether the Nepal route is becoming an entry point for terrorists to enter India. There are many areas in J&K, like the Kokernag area, where it takes security forces a long time to reach the hiding terrorists.
75 terrorists were killed last year.
During 2014, 104 terrorists were killed in J&K. 97 in 2015, 140 in 2016, 210 in 2017, 257 in 2018, 157 in 2019, 221 in 2020, 180 in 2021, 187 in 2022, 76 in 2023, and 75 terrorists were killed last year. The Pakistani ISI, with the help of its affiliate terrorist organizations, is attempting to recruit hybrid terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, it is not succeeding in this endeavor. Terrorist organizations across the border want to protect Pakistani terrorists present in the valley.
Now Sleeper Cells or Hybrid Terrorists
Terrorists from Pakistan are hiding in the forests or mountain caves of Jammu and Kashmir. They do not communicate through normal phones. This is why they cannot be easily tracked. Security forces receive most of their information through informants.
Although informants' information is cross-checked, intelligence input is often unclear, posing a potential risk or loss. According to an officer associated with the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, new terrorists are no longer emerging in the Valley. Their recruitment has been significantly curbed.
Now, the terrorists present there are carrying out attacks with the help of their sleeper cells or hybrid terrorists.
Photos used to appear on social media
Previously, when a youth went missing in J&K, a missing person report was filed locally. The Jammu and Kashmir police would attempt to locate the missing youth. While the family and police were searching for the missing youth, a photo of the youth would appear on social media.
In the photo, the youth was seen brandishing a weapon, as if he was a member of a terrorist organization. After this, he was considered an active terrorist by security agencies.
Terrorist organizations are well aware that the police and family are searching for the missing youth. There are numerous examples in the Valley of young people giving up arms and rejoining the mainstream after a short time. Terrorist organizations brainwash the misguided youth.
Then, when they feel that the youth is still not fully ready to follow the path of terrorism and wants to return to the mainstream, they make a photo of him with a terrorist organization viral.
This is how the number of local terrorists decreased
As a result, the youth is left in limbo. As soon as his photo with a weapon becomes public, the police add his name to the list of active terrorists. Consequently, the youth is unable to return to the mainstream even if he wishes to. However, such cases have decreased significantly in recent times.
This is why the number of local terrorists in the Valley has now fallen below ten. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that due to the concerted efforts of security agencies, the terrorist network fostered by the nation's enemies in Jammu and Kashmir has been virtually eliminated. Security forces have complete freedom to thwart any attempt to threaten peace and security in the region.
