Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Define the context: Briefly introduce the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the role of non-state actors (militant groups) in destabilizing the region.
- Mention the evolving nature of tactics: Reference the shift in tactics post the abrogation of Article 370 and how it has changed the dynamics of conflict.
2. New and Evolving Tactics
- Hybrid Terrorism: Describe the shift from large militant groups to smaller, informal cells. These groups target soft civilian and off-duty security personnel. Overground workers support these groups with ideological, financial, and logistical assistance.
- Increased Terrorist Attacks in Jammu: Explain the strategic shift towards Jammu, noting that the region is less fortified compared to Kashmir. Mention the increase in attacks in Jammu in 2023.
- Attacks on Religious Pilgrimages: Discuss how non-state actors have targeted religious pilgrimages to incite communal tensions, exemplifying with the recent attack on a bus of Hindu pilgrims in Reasi.
- Use of Drones: Explain how the adoption of drone technology has enhanced the capabilities of militants to conduct reconnaissance and deliver payloads. Mention the 2021 drone attack on the Indian Air Force base in Jammu.
- Virtual Terrorist Groups: Discuss how terrorist groups now use digital platforms to recruit, spread propaganda, and influence without physical borders. Reference groups like The Resistance Front and People’s Anti-Fascist Front.
- Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs): Explain the rise of liquid IEDs that are harder to detect and pose significant threats to both civilians and security personnel.
3. Challenges in Countering these Tactics
- Discuss the challenges security forces face in dealing with these evolving tactics. Mention the difficulty of countering decentralized operations, the spread of digital propaganda, and the new technological threats posed by drones and IEDs.
4. Conclusion
- Summarize the evolving threat: Briefly conclude by emphasizing that addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, combining local governance reforms, technological safeguards, and strategies to mitigate radicalization and ensure regional stability.
Relevant Facts for Answer
- Hybrid Terrorism: Small, informal cells targeting civilians and off-duty security. Over 200 overground workers arrested in 2023.
- Increased Terrorist Attacks in Jammu: 43 terror attacks in Jammu region in 2023, higher than previous years.
- Attacks on Religious Pilgrimages: Attack on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims in Reasi, illustrating attempts to incite communal tensions.
- Drone Usage: Drone attack on the Indian Air Force base in Jammu in 2021.
- Virtual Terrorist Groups: Groups like The Resistance Front and People’s Anti-Fascist Front use social media to spread propaganda and recruit.
- Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs): Non-state actors increasingly using liquid IEDs that are harder to detect.
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.