Counter Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for Long-Term Stability: Challenges, Strategies, and the Path Ahead

Context: 

This editorial is based on the news “The delusion of eliminating ‘the last terrorist’” which was published in The hindu. This article is expressing concerns over the only target of killing the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir that may be counterproductive in achieving long-term stability. Counter Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir needs a balanced and adaptable approach beyond a mere focus on eliminating terrorists.

Jammu and Kashmir: Navigating Challenges in the Ever-Evolving Terror Landscape

• Loss on New Year: The new year in J&K began with a terror strike in Rajouri-Poonch districts, where four soldiers were killed.
  • Insurgency was at its peak in the late 1990s and early 2000s. By virtue of the toil and sacrifices of the uniformed services, the situation changed for the better and by 2011-12, the region was on the verge of being declared terror free.
• Killing of Terrorists: The Director General of Police, J&K, highlighted the increasing numbers of terrorists killed.
  • However, as per a media report, there is a decline in the number of terrorists killed in 2023, which was lower than the previous year, and, hence, a cause of concern. 

• Maximize on Neutralization: The Union Home Minister addressed the security forces to destroy the terror infrastructure, probably implying maximizing the neutralization of terrorists and their threats.
  • Neutralizing terrorists is one of the most crucial objectives of the security operations. 

Challenges in Counter Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir: Beyond Body Counts to Comprehensive Solutions

• Focused on One-Approach Solution: The obsession with the numbers of ‘kills’ as parameters of a successful counter-terror campaign, it is winning the battle by addressing the symptoms, but it has indeed been at the cost of the campaign.
• Challenge to Counter Insurgencies: Combating insurgencies is challenging when terror-related incidents are on decline. There is a sharp contrast to the declining fatalities post 2007, with the figures at 134 in 2023 (South Asia Terror Portal). 
• Reluctance to Adapt by the System: Changed dynamics warranted efforts at peace building, consolidation and conflict management. The system has been reluctant to adapt. 
• Bottom-line of Tangibles Prove Performance: It is mainly due to factors such as limited tenures, primacy of short-term gains, competitive career environments, and a false sense of glory.
• Missing of Cultural Orientation for People-Centric Policies at Execution Levels: Although various agencies of the state involved in a conflict zone do formulate and execute people-centric policies, the cultural orientation of the same at execution levels is missing. 

Way Forward: Long-Term Solutions and Political Engagement in Jammu and Kashmir

• People-centric Approach: The tactical-level operations, duly backed by psychological operations, have to be people-centric. Winning the hearts and the minds of the population should be prioritized. 
• A Long-term Solution: There is a need for a balanced approach and adapting to changing dynamics with a focus on people-centric strategy that could be a part of long-term stability.
• Need for Political Involvement: Political vacuum is a danger, which needs to be removed as soon as possible. Political involvement along with security measures are required and desirable.