Terrorism in J&K

About

• The insurgency in J&K started out inside the overdue 1980s, catalyzed through political discontent and external assistance from Pakistan. 
• Major occasions, including the 1989 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, marked the beginning of a violent segment. 
• Over time, militant groups like Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba emerged, drastically shaping the conflict’s dynamics.

Changing Nature of Terrorist Groups

• Decline of Traditional Groups:

• • • Hizbul Mujahideen: Once a dominant force in J&K, Hizbul Mujahideen has seen a reduction in its operational talents and recruitment. The institution’s decline is attributed to a hit counter-terrorism operations by Indian security forces and the elimination of key leaders.

• Rise of New Entities:

• • • The Resistance Front (TRF): Formed in 2019, TRF has emerged as a vast participant in the location. It is believed to be the front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and has been involved in several high-profile attacks.
    • People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF): Another current entrant, PAFF has claimed responsibility for several attacks and is suspected of having hyperlinks with Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

• Influence of Global Jihadist Groups:

• • ISIS and Al-Qaeda: Both groups have tried to set up a foothold in J&K. While their effect remains confined as compared to local groups, there have been instances of propaganda and recruitment efforts concentrated on the vicinity. 

• Some Recent Incidents:

• • Operational Terrorists: According to the Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu & Kashmir, around 60 to 70 terrorists are currently active across the Line of Control (LoC)​.
  • Terrorist Incidents: In 2023, there had been a complete of 50 terror-associated occasions in the first half, resulting in 50 deaths, including 29 terrorists, nine civilians, and 11 security forces employees​.

Tactics and Strategies

• Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

• • • There has been an increase in the use of IEDs in J&K. These devices are often used to target security forces convoys and patrols. 

• Targeted Killings

• • • Terrorist groups have increasingly targeted killings of nearby political leaders, security personnel, and civilians suspected of being informants. These attacks purpose to instill fear and disrupt nearby governance and security efforts.

• Lone-Wolf Attacks

• • • Lone-wolf attacks, wherein people perform attacks independently inspired by terrorist ideology, were at the rise. These attacks are harder to predict and prevent because of their spontaneous nature.

• Technological Advancements
• • The use of drones by way of terrorist businesses has become a significant challenge. Drones are used for surveillance, losing guns, and even conducting attacks. 
• Infiltration Tactics: Terrorists have additionally utilized advanced strategies to infiltrate throughout the Line of Control (LoC), which includes the usage of tunnels.

Changes in Governance and Administration

• Direct Central Administration:

• • • The revocation of Article 370 brought about the reorganization of J&K into  Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. This change added the place beneath direct critical administration, taking into consideration extra streamlined governance and implementation of important laws and policies.

• Development Initiatives:

• • Post-abrogation, the central government has launched diverse development projects aimed at enhancing infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. These efforts are meant to combine the area more intently with the rest of India and cope with long-standing economic grievances.

Impacts on Local Sentiment and Militancy

• Kashmir Valley: Following the abrogation, there was an initial spike in violence, however recent statistics suggest a decline in terror-related incidents within the Kashmir Valley. For example, the quantity of terrorist incidents dropped substantially from 614 in 2018 to 244 in 2022​.
• Infiltration Attempts: The first 1/2 of 2023 saw 0 net infiltrations reported inside the Union Territory, a vast lower from preceding years.

Increase in Terrorist Activities in Jammu

• Shift in Focus: Terrorist groups have increasingly shifted their consciousness from the heavily militarized Kashmir Valley to the Jammu place. This shift is in part because of the stringent security features in the Valley, making it more difficult for terrorists to operate there.
• Recent Attacks: The Jammu vicinity has witnessed a rise in terror attacks, with 43 attacks in 2023 and 20 inside the first half of 2024. Notable incidents consist of the assault on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi in June 2024, resulting in more than one casualties​.

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