New Delhi: A notable shift has been observed in the security dynamics of Jammu and Kashmir, indicating the effectiveness of the Centre's outreach efforts. According to sources within the security establishment, the region is witnessing the lowest number of active local terrorists recorded to date, with only 17 operating within its boundaries as of March 13, 2025.
This substantial reduction follows the abrogation of Article 370, after which the government implemented various initiatives aimed at fostering development and community trust. Union ministers have been actively visiting the region, making citizens aware of the numerous government programs intended to uplift the area's socio-economic condition.
Despite the encouraging numbers of local terrorists, government data reveals the alarming presence of foreign terrorists. Specifically, there are currently 59 foreign terrorists active within Jammu and Kashmir, with the majority affiliated with Pakistani-backed organizations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HuM). More precisely, the count breaks down to:
- 35 affiliated with LeT
- 21 with JeM
- 3 with HuM
This disparity between the number of local and foreign terrorists raises concerns within security circles. An official from the security establishment stated, "A comparison of the foreign and local terrorists active in the region has proved ... the terrorist organizations have not been able to recruit local youths from Jammu and Kashmir," underscoring the efficacy of government initiatives to steer youth away from militancy.
Responding to the security threats posed by the active foreign terrorists, local security agencies have heightened their anti-terror operations throughout the union territory. For example, between February 16 and March 7, security forces targeted hotspots and reported significant recoveries. Within this timeframe, they seized:
- 268 rounds of ammunition from the Simbli and Shajroo areas of Reasi district
- Four rockets from Reasi district
- Two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from Pulwama and Shopian
While tackling the terrorist presence, the situation remains pressing. Just as initiatives strive to weed out home-grown terrorism, challenges persist. Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla recently appealed to the citizens of Manipur to return weapons looted amid the ethnic conflict back to security forces. Consequently, at least 990 arms, more than 11,500 rounds of ammunition, 366 hand grenades, 230 bombs, and 10 IEDs have been surrendered since the conflict erupted in 2023. This appeal highlights the necessity for community involvement to facilitate peace and stability.
Turning to another major area of focus, the security situation surrounding the Maoist insurgency has also seen developments analogous to those against terrorism. From February 15 to February 28, security forces effectively arrested 24 Maoists from various regions, including two from Andhra Pradesh and 17 from Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. This operation resulted not only in arrests but also the surrender of 20 Maoists, yielding significant arms recoveries which included:
- 14 arms
- 532 rounds of ammunition
- 110 kg of explosives
- 26 IEDs
- Three grenades
- 25 detonators
- 130 gelatin sticks
- Cash amounting to Rs 1.5 lakh
These developments indicate greater control by law enforcement, but they also point to the underlying public struggles. While security gains may be made, the broader issues resulting from socio-economic instability and political strife continue to challenge recovery efforts.
To sum up, the current security narrative surrounding Jammu and Kashmir demonstrates positive trends with reduced local terrorism, yet the persistent presence of foreign terrorists coupled with regional conflicts poses significant challenges. Observers are left pondering whether the stringent security measures alongside community outreach will continue to yield favorable outcomes.