Terror Attack In Pehalgam

Syllabus: GS3/ Security

In News

• A terror attack happened in the Baisaran Valley (meadows) often called ‘mini Switzerland’, near the town of Pahalgam in the Anantnag district.
  • The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack.

What is TRF?

• The Resistance Front or TRF was founded in October 2019, after India bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir, and abrogated Article 370 that gave special status to the erstwhile State.
• The MHA banned the outfit under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2023.
• The front is involved in carrying out propaganda on terror activities, recruitment of terrorists, infiltration of terrorists and smuggling of weapons and narcotics from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir.

Militancy in Kashmir Region

• Rooted in the 1947 Partition dispute over Kashmir’s status, armed militancy erupted in the late 1980s, fueled by alleged election rigging and Pakistani support. 
• The 1990s witnessed peak violence, targeting security forces and civilians, including the Kashmiri Pandit community leading to their exodus, met by intense Indian counter-insurgency.
• After India revoked Article 370 in 2019, ending Kashmir’s special status, a new phase of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir has been seen like targeted killings of minorities and non-locals, “hybrid” militants, and increased activity in Jammu’s Pir Panjal region.

Reasons For Persistence of Terrorism and Security Challenges in Jammu & Kashmir

• State-Sponsored Terrorism from Pakistan: Pakistan remains a central driver of terrorism in J&K by providing safe havens, training, funding, and logistical support to militant outfits.
• Porous Borders and Infiltration Routes: Rugged terrain, forests, and difficult weather conditions. These geographical factors make it challenging for security forces to completely seal borders.
• Security Thinning due to Strategic Diversion: After the 2020 Galwan clashes, a significant contingent of the Indian Army was repositioned to counter the Chinese threat along the eastern border. This strategic shift has inadvertently weakened the security grid in Jammu.
• Post-2019 Focus Shift: With a successful security crackdown in the Kashmir Valley post-Article 370 abrogation, terrorist outfits have shifted operations south of the Pir Panjal range—targeting Jammu’s districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, and Kathua.
• Evolving Tactics of Terrorist Groups: Terrorists operating using forest cover, night vision gear, M4 rifles, and encrypted communications.
• Technological and Operational Challenges: Terrorists use apps like Telegram, TamTam, Chirpwire, Enigma—combined with VPNs, complicating surveillance.
• Communal and Demographic Sensitivities: The religious and ethnic diversity in J&K — comprising Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and tribal communities — is vulnerable to communal tension. Terror groups aim to exploit these divides to destabilize social cohesion and provoke unrest.
• Over Ground Workers (OGWs) Crucial Role: They enable militancy through logistics, finance, propaganda, and safe houses—often invisible yet deeply entrenched.

Way Ahead

• Rebuild and Strengthen Security Grid in Jammu Region:
  • Establish integrated command centers for real-time coordination between Army, JKP, CRPF, and intelligence agencies.
  • Specialized joint units (COBRA + SOG) must be deployed for ambush-prone jungle warfare operations.
  • Reinforce troop deployment in terror-affected districts (Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kathua) with Valley-experienced personnel.
• Accelerate Technological Modernization and Surveillance:
  • Fully implement Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS) across LoC and IB, with smart fencing, drones, seismic sensors, and AI-driven analytics.
  • Invest in counter-encryption capabilities and cyber-forensics to monitor and disrupt communication on banned apps and platforms.
• Revive and Integrate HUMINT Networks:
  • Rebuild human intelligence (HUMINT) networks by deconflicting inter-agency rivalries post-2019.
• Community Engagement and Youth Outreach:
  • Expand Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and provide them with modern training and equipment.
  • Launch targeted counter-radicalization programs in colleges and religious institutions with mentorship, skill training, and awareness drives.
• Diplomatic and International Pressure on Pakistan:
  • Continue efforts to expose Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorism at international forums (UN, FATF, etc.).

Source: TH