J&K: Spate Of Terror Attacks In Jammu Raises Concerns Over Stability

A massive search operation is currently underway to locate terrorists responsible for a deadly attack on Indian army trucks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, resulting in the deaths of five personnel. The region has seen a rise in terror incidents, with terrorists exploiting dense forests and natural caves as hiding spots.

On Monday around 03:30 PM, a group of four to five terrorists opened fire and launched grenades at the trucks, injuring 10 soldiers. This tactic has been observed in previous attacks in Rajouri and Poonch districts, taking advantage of difficult terrain features like bad roads and blind curves to ambush vehicles.

Security forces acknowledge the infiltration of 30-40 highly trained foreign terrorists into the Jammu region, prepared with advanced weaponry and tactical skills. These incidents have prompted a heightened response, including the regularization of Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Kathua and Doda to combat the threat.

The surge in terror activities in Jammu began in October 2021, marked by prolonged gun battles and casualties among army personnel in areas like Poonch and Rajouri. Despite earlier efforts to clear these regions of terrorism through operations like Operation Sarp Vinash, recent attacks have underscored ongoing challenges and the strategic importance of the region.

Terrorists operating in these mountainous terrains are equipped with sophisticated weapons such as M4 rifles, commonly used by US forces, and armor-piercing bullets. They have been found using advanced communication devices like the “Ultra Set,” previously linked to the Pakistan Army, indicating a significant security challenge in these areas.

As security forces intensify efforts to neutralize these threats, the situation remains critical, with recent attacks targeting both military personnel and civilians, posing a complex security dilemma in the region.