News Analysis: Pak shifts terror focus to Jammu region

With six encounters and two infiltration bids—including one by Pakistani troops—between March 23 and April 11, the Jammu region is facing a renewed threat of terrorism, actively backed by Pakistan’s Army.

The recent spate of encounters in the Kathua, Udhampur, and Kishtwar districts, along with the elimination of five Pakistani militants belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), indicates large-scale infiltration through the International Border in Kathua. This area had traditionally served as a major infiltration route for terrorists until 2005.

As local support for terrorism in Kashmir has waned following the abrogation of Article 370, with few joinings in terror ranks, most of the militants operating in the Jammu region are now Pakistanis. Pakistan’s objective in reigniting terrorism in Jammu appears to be an attempt to project to the international community that the abrogation of Kashmir’s special status has not changes anything in J&K. Additionally, Jammu’s rugged topography provides a safe haven for militants.

Hi-tech recoveries

Since March 27, five terrorists have been eliminated in the Kathua and Kishtwar districts. Security forces recovered large quantities of rations, medicines, and sophisticated weaponry from them, including thermal imaging scopes and VHF helical antennas used for communication. These night vision devices have given terrorists an upper hand in certain situations, especially in dense forests.

Ambush: The new tactic

On March 27, when a team of five policemen entered the forests of Ghati Juthana in Kathua following an intelligence input, they were ambushed by at least five terrorists. Four policemen were killed, and a DSP was injured. Since the rise in terrorism in 2023, over 50 security personnel have been killed—many during such ambushes. Terrorists are increasingly using ‘hit-and-run’ tactics, taking advantage of Jammu’s vast jungles to hide.

Increased infiltration

Intelligence agencies have reported a spike in infiltration attempts in recent weeks via the International Border in Kathua. Notably, on April 1, Pakistani troops attempted to cross the Line of Control in Poonch to assist terrorists in infiltrating. The Indian Army foiled the attempt. In another incident on April 11, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed in Akhnoor while stopping an infiltration bid.

Local support

Terrorists who had previously exfiltrated to Pakistan are now mobilising support in the form of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in the Jammu districts. Many militants operating from Pakistan and orchestrating attacks in Jammu have been identified by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Intelligence inputs have confirmed that OGWs aided recently infiltrated groups. Several terror associates have been detained and interrogated in connection with the recent surge in terror activities.

Pak-Afghan angle

Some battle-hardened Pakistani terrorists, previously active on the Afghan front, have been killed in the Rajouri and Poonch sectors in recent months. Following the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, Pakistan has been deploying these experienced militants to train new recruits. With the global narrative on Kashmir losing traction after the revocation of Article 370, Pakistan is likely using increased terrorism as a strategy to revive attention on the issue.

Govt’s response

In response to the recent escalation in terror incidents, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar. He directed security forces to intensify operations to eliminate terrorists hiding in forest areas. The Minister also emphasised the need to improve infrastructure in remote regions of the Jammu division.

J & K