SRINAGAR: Security forces have launched a sweeping crackdown against terrorism in the Jammu region. The special focus is on rugged terrain and dense forests along the Line of Control (LoC). Senior security officials said these intensified operations aim to dismantle terrorist networks behind last yearโs series of fatal attacks in the region.
โWith seamless coordination between the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary units, we are achieving tangible results and remain resolute in our mission to eradicate terrorism,โ a senior police official involved in the operations stated. While Rajouri and Poonch have long been epicentres of terror activity, terrorists have expanded their footprint to six additional districtsโReasi, Doda, Kishtwar, Kathua, Udhampur, and Jammuโthroughout 2024.
The spike in violence has set off alarm bells in security circles, as attacks have claimed 44 lives so farโ18 security personnel, 13 terrorists, and 14 civilians among them. Among the most gruesome incidents was a targeted strike on a bus ferrying devotees back from the Shiv Khori temple, which left seven civilians dead.
Additionally, three Village Defence Guards (VDGs) were killed in Udhampur and Kishtwar. โThese incidents reflect a shift in terrorist strategy, possibly aimed at extending their disruptive reach. We are proactively denying them that opportunity,โ an Army officer engaged in the counter-insurgency drive explained.
At present, search operations are in full swing across multiple locations with the Chenab Valleyโcovering Kishtwar, Doda, and Rambanโemerging as a critical zone with ten active sites. Seven other locations in Rajouri and Poonch are being combed, while Udhampur, Reasi, and Jammu districts have three, two, and one ongoing operation(s), respectively.
โThese efforts are geared towards eliminating forest hideouts, which are often used as terror bases. Securing these zones is crucial before summer, a season when infiltration attempts traditionally escalate,โ the officer added.
Security agencies have also uncovered evidence of Pakistan-based handlers orchestrating terrorist activities in the Jammu division. โIt is evident that these handlers are directing terrorists to shift focus to newer districts, aiming to instil fear and destabilize normalcy.
However, our sustained counter-insurgency operations are neutralizing their agenda,โ another senior police official remarked. The operations are being reinforced with real-time intelligence and advanced surveillance systems, authorities confirmed.
Notably, Rajouri and Poonchโboth of which witnessed a surge in deadly attacks between 2021 and 2023โhave recorded a decline in terror incidents in 2024. Despite this, security forces are maintaining high alert levels.
โAlthough we have seen a reduction, complacency is not an option. We are implementing counter-insurgency measures with unwavering intensity to safeguard the regionโs hard-earned stability,โ said an Army officer stationed in Rajouri.
Official data for 2024 indicates that Doda, Kathua, and Reasi each recorded nine fatalities, followed by Kishtwar with five, Udhampur with four, and Jammu and Rajouri with three each. Poonch had the lowest toll, with two deaths.
โThe figures suggest a strategic pivot in terrorist activities toward less militarized districts. This demands adaptive strategies and enhanced inter-agency coordination,โ the senior Army officer noted. He added that anti-terror operations will be further intensified over the coming months, particularly ahead of summer.
โOur objective extends beyond eliminating active terrorists; we are also dismantling their logistical and support networks. With persistent efforts, we aim to ensure that 2025 sees a marked decline in terror-related incidents,โ a police officer emphasized.
In parallel, security agencies are encouraging local communities to participate in vigilance initiatives, including reinforcing the role of Village Defence Guards in high-risk areas.
