Evolving Frontlines in the Conflict From Jammu to Kashmir

By: Muskan Agrawal

The Jammu region has emerged as the latest frontline where Indian soldiers find themselves under relentless assault at the hands of terrorists. The recent surge in terror attacks sent shockwaves through security agencies, highlighting a significant shift in strategy by Pakistan's ISI, which appears to be shifting its attention from the Kashmir Valley to Jammu.

Since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K’s) semi-autonomous status through the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Indian government ramped up counterinsurgency operations in the Kashmir Valley. This increased pressure drove the militants to seek refuge in Jammu, a region that had, for nearly two decades, enjoyed relative peace.  

Now, Jammu is witnessing an alarming rise in militant activity, as these groups seek to exploit the region's diverse demographic fabric to incite communal violence and destabilize the area. The consequences have been devastating and in just the past two months, between July and August, 14 soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces were martyred.

This year Jammu has seen casualties among security forces doubling compared to the previous three years (2023, 2022, and 2021). The challenges facing security forces are compounded by the terrorists' sophisticated tactics. Security audits by various agencies reveal that militants, aided by local guides, use diverse routes to infiltrate across the Line of Control and the International Border in the Jammu sector. Infiltration was recorded in nearly 24 sectors, highlighting the vast and complex terrain that security forces must patrol. Moreover, weapons were smuggled into the region or dropped via drones, adding a new layer of threat.  

In response, the government initiated a project to fence the borders, even though the progress has been slow. In Jammu, only 70 of the 180 km is fenced, and floodlighting was completed for just 40 km. The monsoon season further complicates patrolling efforts, particularly in riverine areas covered with thick elephant grass, which provides ideal cover for infiltrators.  

The rising violence tragically underscored on the eve of Independence Day, when security forces neutralized a terrorist in Doda after a fierce gunfight. The encounter, which took place in the dense forests of the Assar area, claimed the life of Capt. Deepak Singh, leading the search operation. Capt. Singh, a member of the 48 Rashtriya Rifles—a unit renowned for its counter-insurgency operations in J&K—made the ultimate sacrifice. The operation, conducted jointly by the Indian Army and J&K Police, led to the recovery of AK-47 and M4 rifles, indicating the presence of heavily armed militants.  

This incident reflects a broader trend of escalating terror activities in J&K. The militants involved are often well-trained and heavily equipped, with reports suggesting that Pakistan-based groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) actively pushed terrorists into the region. While terrorism has intensified in Jammu, the J&K Valley has recorded a marked decline in civilian and security force fatalities in 24 years between 2000 to 2024.

The recent attacks in Jammu seem to also carry a political message– by escalating violence in Jammu, militants are likely attempting to disrupt the upcoming assembly elections in J&K— the first since the abrogation of Article 370. The Indian Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to hold these elections by the end of September 2024, but the rising violence casts a shadow over the process.  

As the situation in Jammu remains tense, it is evident that the region has become a focal point for ongoing challenges in the pursuit of peace and stability. The growing complexity of these issues calls for a coordinated and multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate security concerns and the underlying socio-political factors that contribute to unrest.