Model Answer

The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been increasingly complicated by the new and evolving tactics employed by non-state actors, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370. These tactics pose significant security challenges for the region.

1. Hybrid Terrorism

Hybrid terrorism has become one of the most significant threats. Non-state actors now operate in small, informal cells targeting soft civilian and off-duty security personnel. These groups are supported by overground workers who provide ideological, financial, and logistical support. In 2023, over 200 such workers were arrested, highlighting the growing scale of this threat. This decentralized method of operation complicates counter-insurgency efforts, as security forces face difficulties in identifying and neutralizing these small groups.

2. Increased Attacks in Jammu

There has been a strategic shift in the focus of militant activities toward the Jammu region. This region, perceived as less fortified than the Kashmir Valley, witnessed 43 terror attacks in 2023, significantly higher than in previous years. These attacks have raised concerns about the growing vulnerability of Jammu to militant infiltration and violence.

3. Attacks on Religious Pilgrimages

Non-state actors are increasingly targeting religious pilgrimages to incite communal tensions. For instance, a recent attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi underlined the potential for these acts to destabilize the region by exacerbating religious divisions. Such attacks aim to disrupt the region’s fragile peace and provoke broader communal unrest.

4. Use of Drones

Drones have become a critical tool for terrorists in J&K, enabling them to conduct surveillance, deliver payloads, and carry out attacks with enhanced effectiveness and anonymity. The 2021 drone attack on an Indian Air Force base in Jammu exemplified this new threat, which poses challenges for conventional countermeasures.

5. Virtual Terrorist Groups

The rise of virtual terrorist groups is another evolving threat. These groups use digital platforms to recruit, spread propaganda, and expand their influence beyond geographical boundaries. Organizations like The Resistance Front and People’s Anti-Fascist Front use social media to incite violence, making it harder to track and dismantle their operations.

6. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

The use of liquid IEDs, which are difficult to detect, has increased in J&K. These devices pose a significant risk to both civilians and security forces, making counter-terrorism operations even more challenging.

In conclusion, the evolving tactics of non-state actors in Jammu and Kashmir have significantly altered the security landscape, requiring a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to address the region’s challenges effectively.

Model Answer

Increased Insurgency

One of the major impacts of proxy wars on internal security is the rise of insurgent movements. Foreign countries provide aid, training, and weapons to local groups, empowering them to continue their activities and escalate conflicts.

• Fact: Experts suggest that Maoism or Naxalism in India may be partly fueled by China’s anti-Indian agenda, as external support bolsters insurgent capabilities.

Communal Tensions

Proxy wars often exploit existing religious and sectarian divides within a country. External support for such factions can ignite communal violence, leading to social unrest and posing a threat to national cohesion.

• Fact: Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, has been implicated in supporting Sikh militant groups, which advocate for an independent Khalistan, exacerbating internal communal tensions.

Destabilization of Border Regions

Proxy wars can further destabilize disputed border regions, such as Jammu & Kashmir, by encouraging armed conflict and exacerbating historical tensions. Foreign countries may use proxy warfare to weaken India’s sovereignty in these sensitive areas.

• Fact: Pakistan’s strategy of proxy warfare, especially in Kashmir, has involved supporting militants, thereby intensifying violence and tensions in the region.

Cyber Radicalization

The internet plays a crucial role in the spread of radical ideologies, contributing to internal security challenges. Proxy forces may exploit cyberspace to recruit vulnerable individuals, promoting extremist actions.

• Fact: In Jammu & Kashmir, militants use the internet and social media to recruit young people to join insurgent groups, amplifying the threat of radicalization.

Conclusion

Proxy wars waged by foreign countries significantly undermine India’s internal security by fostering insurgency, promoting communal tensions, destabilizing border regions, and enabling cyber radicalization. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated approach at both national and international levels, with a focus on preventing foreign interventions that fuel internal conflicts.