The increase in terrorist violence in the Rajouri-Poonch sector is concerning, especially given official claims that the areas have been cleared of militants and that very few are still alive and on the run.
Security experts believe that in the past, the security and intelligence apparatus relented in some way, allowing miscreants to strike, particularly before the upcoming G20 summit in Kashmir.
Experts have called for a change in strategy, including increased intelligence and appropriate deployment, in the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir to combat terrorism, citing high soldier casualties in the region over the last 18 months.
Since October 11, 2021, a total of 26 Army personnel, including three officers and five paratroopers, and seven civilians have been killed in eight terror attacks in the twin districts.
Unlike the Kashmir valley, the Rajouri-Poonch region is entirely hilly with dense forests, making it ideal for terrorists to establish bases due to easy access to their handlers across the LoC via walkies-talkies and other communication equipment. During the winter, the region's passes are inaccessible, but they provide easy access to the Valley from PoK during the summer season.
The low population density also works to their advantage, and the areas' proximity to the Kashmir valley districts of Pulwama, Shopian, and Baramulla aids in coordination and mobility. Following increased vigilance on known infiltration and exfiltration routes, terrorists have preferred the region more convenient for establishing bases and remaining dormant for some time before resuming their activities when directed by their handlers in Pakistan.
According to defence and security experts, Pakistan is attempting to resurrect terrorism in the Jammu region, as reported in the media. “If you look at the events since October 2021, there has been a concerted effort from across the border to disturb and revive terrorism in the Jammu region, which has been largely free of terrorism for 17 to 18 years,” former J-K director general of police SP Vaid told a news agency.
He claimed that since the repeal of Article 370, the entire terror ecosystem has been uprooted, with most terrorist cadres and leadership already eliminated.
Terrorists are now targeting the Rajouri-Poonch belt in the Pir Panjal region, according to the former police chief, “after suffering setbacks in Kashmir.”
Terrorists carried out a major attack in Surankote, Poonch district, on October 11, 2021, killing five soldiers, including a JCO.
On October 13, two jawans were killed in another attack in the Dera ki Gali belt. Two weeks later, two soldiers, one of whom was an officer, were killed in an IED blast in Kalal, Rajouri.
Another notable terror incident in the region was a fidayeen attack on a military camp in Rajouri on August 11, 2022, which killed five soldiers. Another five soldiers were killed in an attack in Bhatta Dhurian.
The most recent attack occurred on May 5, when five Special Forces paratroopers were killed.
The recent incidents and casualties of Jawans have shaken public trust, and people are losing faith in what the administration claims.
According to security experts, there is a need to keep changing the strategy in the region and to strengthen intelligence and deployment in the region to counter terrorist activities.
According to defence experts, the strategy should shift away from kinetic military action, which includes aggressive cordon and search operations, and towards intelligence-based operations.
