Pay Heed to a Resurgence in Militancy in Rajouri-Poonch

28 Jun 2023

Context:

The Rajouri-Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir has been in the news recently for various concerning reasons like relative surge in terror-related incidents, killing by militants, etc.

Role of Local Community: Gujjar-Bakarwals Support as a Pillar

The Operation Sarp Vinash (of 2022), also known as the Hill Kaka Operations, was strongly supported by the local population, which was launched by the Counter Insurgency Force ‘Romeo’ for the elimination of an estimated 65-70 terrorists.
The support of the Gujjar-Bakarwals to the Indian Army saw the first Muslim village defense committee being set up in this region in December 2002, in response to atrocities on locals by Harkat-ul-Mujahideen cadres.

Challenges faced by Counter Insurgency Force:

Technologically Advanced: Use of smart technology by terrorists to communicate and move around.
Small groups & Lone Wolf Attacks: Operations carried out in small groups and by alone and from urban pockets.
Redeployment: Thinning of counter-insurgency grid in Jammu region due to troops redeployment on the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Sleeper Cells: Reinvigoration of sleeper cells and over ground workers.
Drug Menace: A deepening drug menace and its nexus with terrorism.
Substituting Methods: Conventional manner of crossing the LoC, is now substituting through the Nepal and Bangladesh borders.

Reasons for Distancing of Local Population from the State:

Unemployment rise
Gaps in sound implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006
The deepening and festering divide between the communities over the reservation issue

Note:

TNSV Prasad Committee Report:

The Ministry of Home Affairs formed this committee for recommendation over the use of pellet guns.
It recommended that pellet guns should be used in the rarest of the rare case.
Instead of pellet guns use other non-lethal methods of crowd control like chilli grenade shells, tear gas etc.

Way Forward:

Gain Trust of Local Communities: Government has to realize that terror can thrive only on the plank of support of the local population, irrespective of the technology and the methodology that the terrorists adopt and the need of the hour is to get back support and trust of local communities to maintain peace and prosperity in the region.
Advanced Technologies: Need to be technically advanced to keep an eye on the militants’ activities.
Collaboration: Intelligence agencies, Army, and Local Police need to maintain synchronization to become more aware and counter militants’ activities.
- Collaboration of International Communities is also required to not allow them to use their lands to harm other countries.
Counter Drug Menace: With the help of international organizations, strict actions should be taken in this direction.

Term Need to Know:

Over Ground Workers:

It refers to individuals who support and assist terrorist organizations or insurgent groups, but are not directly involved in carrying out acts of violence.
These individuals operate openly in society and engage in activities such as recruitment, fund-raising, propaganda dissemination, logistics support and providing safe havens for terrorists.

Additional Information:

Operations against Militants in Jammu and Kashmir:

Operation Rakshak,1990: An ongoing counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operation encompassing “not to enter the houses of civilians”, “not to smoke in religious places” and “not to damage standing crops”.
Operation Sarp Vinash, 2003: To eliminate the terrorists who made bases in the region.
Operation All Out, 2017: A joint offensive launched by Indian security forces to flush out militants and terrorists in Kashmir until there is complete peace in the state. It includes the Indian Army, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Border Security Forces and Intelligence Bureau.
Operation Randori Behak, 2020: One of the Indian Army’s most successful counter-terror strikes. It was three days before special forces commandos were called in to flush out the terrorists hiding in Kupwara.

Steps Taken by the Government:

UDAAN: Started with an aim to provide skill to the youth of the valley.
PM’s Development Package for J&K: It focused on creating new avenues of employment and better infrastructure in transportation, health, renewable energy, tourism etc.
Creating institutes like AIIMS, IIT, and IIM construction of tunnels to reduce time lost in traveling.
Focus over developing new rail links.
Project Himayat: For capacity building and youth employment.
Project Sadhbhavana: By the Indian army helping, for helping youth in shaping their dream.
Project Umeed: For Women Empowerment.
District Development Councils (DDCs): After Jammu and Kashmir lost its statehood, DDCs were focused to ensure good governance and local development.