TERROR ATTACK IN (PAHALGAM
REGION): INTERNAL SECURITY
NEWS: Major terror attacks on civilians in Kashmir since
2000: Timeline
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?
A terror attack in Baisaran
Valley, Pahalgam, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), highlights the
evolving militancy in Jammu and Kashmir post-Article 370 abrogation, with new
tactics, expanded operations in Jammu, and persistent security challenges fueled
by cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.
Terror Attack in Baisaran Valley (Pahalgam Region)
- A
major terror attack occurred in the Baisaran Valley,
famously known as 'mini Switzerland', near Pahalgam town in
Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- This
valley, a popular tourist destination, saw a targeted attack aimed at
creating fear among civilians and tourists.
- The
Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy militant group, claimed
responsibility for carrying out the attack.
- The
attack highlights an evolving threat landscape where offshoots of
larger terror outfits are actively operational.
About The Resistance Front (TRF)
- TRF was
founded in October 2019, shortly after India abrogated Article
370, revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status.
- The
group was conceptualized to provide a fresh identity for militancy
in Kashmir, avoiding direct attribution to Pakistan.
- In 2023,
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designated TRF as a terrorist
organization under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
- Functions
and Activities:
- Terror
Propaganda: Disseminates messages inciting violence and
radicalization through online and offline mediums.
- Recruitment:
Actively recruits local youth to sustain militant operations.
- Cross-border
Infiltration: Facilitates entry of trained terrorists from Pakistan
into J&K.
- Weapon
and Narcotics Smuggling: Smuggles arms and narcotics across the Line
of Control (LoC) to finance terror activities.
Militancy in Kashmir Region: Historical Evolution
- The
Kashmir conflict originated from the 1947 Partition and the
contested accession of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir to
India.
- Emergence
of Armed Insurgency (Late 1980s):
- Militancy
escalated in the late 1980s due to:
- Allegations
of election rigging in the 1987 State elections.
- Support
from Pakistan in training and funding militants.
- Violent
Peak in the 1990s:
- The
1990s witnessed extreme violence, with widespread attacks on security
forces and civilians.
- The Kashmiri
Pandit exodus occurred during this period due to targeted killings
and intimidation.
- After
the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019:
- A
new form of militancy has emerged, including:
- Targeted
killings of minorities and non-local workers.
- Rise
of “hybrid militants” (civilians turned part-time terrorists).
- Expanded
militant activity into Jammu’s Pir Panjal region.
Reasons for Persistence of Terrorism and Security Challenges in Jammu &
Kashmir
- State-Sponsored
Terrorism from Pakistan:
- Pakistan
continues to harbor, fund, and train terrorist organizations like
Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and TRF.
- Cross-border
terrorism is a cornerstone of Pakistan’s "bleed India"
strategy.
- Porous
Borders and Difficult Terrain:
- The rugged,
forested mountains along the LoC create natural infiltration
routes.
- Weather
and geography make border sealing extremely challenging for Indian
forces.
- Security
Thinning Due to Strategic Diversion:
- After
the 2020 Galwan clash with China, India shifted significant
Army assets towards the eastern border.
- This weakened
the security grid in certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir, especially
south of the Pir Panjal range.
- Post-2019
Operational Shift:
·
With a tighter security situation in the Kashmir Valley, militants are now shifting
focus to:
- Rajouri, Poonch,
Doda, and Kathua districts in Jammu.
- These
areas are becoming new centers of terror attacks.
- Evolving
Tactics of Terrorist Groups:
- Dense
forest cover for hiding.
- Night
vision devices and advanced M4 rifles.
- Encrypted
communication apps for undetectable coordination.
- Technological
and Operational Challenges:
- Terrorists
exploit encrypted apps such as Telegram, TamTam, Chirpwire,
and Enigma.
- The
use of VPNs and dark web platforms complicates surveillance
and intelligence gathering.
- Communal
and Demographic Sensitivities:
- The
multi-religious, multi-ethnic composition of J&K makes it vulnerable
to communal polarization.
- Terror
groups aim to spark communal violence to destabilize the region
socially and politically.
- Role
of Over Ground Workers (OGWs):
- OGWs
act as the logistical backbone for militants:
- Providing
safe houses, financing, arms movement, and local
intelligence.
- Their
invisible, deeply entrenched networks make it harder to dismantle
militancy.
Way Ahead: Comprehensive Approach to Tackle the Threat
- Rebuild
and Strengthen Security Grid in Jammu Region:
- Integrated
Command Centers:
- Establish
joint Army-JKP-CRPF-Intelligence fusion cells for real-time
coordination.
- Deployment
of Specialized Units:
- Deploy
elite jungle warfare units like COBRA (Commando Battalion for
Resolute Action) and Special Operations Group (SOG) for
counter-insurgency.
- Reinforced
Troop Strength:
- Strengthen
deployment in critical areas such as Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, and
Kathua using experienced personnel from the Kashmir Valley.
- Accelerate
Technological Modernization and Surveillance:
- Comprehensive
Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS):
- Implement
smart fencing, drone surveillance, seismic sensors, and satellite
monitoring along the LoC and International Border.
- Cyber
Intelligence and Counter-Encryption:
- Invest
in cyber-forensics to track encrypted communications and neutralize
digital radicalization platforms.
- Revive
and Integrate Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Networks:
- Strengthen
field intelligence operations at the village and district levels.
- Deconflict
inter-agency rivalries and promote information sharing among
agencies like NIA, RAW, IB, and local police.
- Community
Engagement and Youth Outreach:
- Expand
Village Defence Guards (VDGs):
- Train
and arm local volunteer groups to act as the first line of
defense against terror attacks.
- Counter-Radicalization
Programs:
- Launch
programs targeting youth in colleges, madrassas, and religious
institutions.
- Focus
on skill development, civic education, and deradicalization
awareness.
- Diplomatic
and International Pressure on Pakistan:
- Continue
efforts at forums like the United Nations, Financial Action
Task Force (FATF), and international summits to:
- Expose
Pakistan’s role in supporting terrorism.
- Push
for stronger sanctions and global censure of
terror-financing networks.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/major-terror-attacks-on-civilians-in-jammu-and-kashmir-since-2000-timeline/article69481438.ece