Why in the news?

The Jammu region has faced severe security issues recently, exacerbated by troop redeployment to the LAC. To address this, around 3,500 additional troops and Special Forces were deployed.

Present Context of J&K

• Security Concerns: The Jammu region has seen a resurgence in terrorist activities, with security forces suffering significant losses. The situation has deteriorated, particularly following the redeployment of troops to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) after the Galwan incident in June 2020.
• Increased Military Presence: In response to the rising threats, additional troops, including Special Forces and Assam Rifles, have been inducted into the region to bolster counter-terrorism operations.
  • Following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, there has been a strategic shift in militancy from Kashmir to Jammu, with militants adapting their tactics and increasing their operational activities in districts like Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch.

Need to Establish the Grid System in Vulnerable Areas

• Establishing a counter-terrorism grid involves deploying military units strategically in vulnerable areas to dominate potential terrorist movements. This requires thorough threat assessments based on terrain, local population inclinations, and historical data.
• The grid system emphasizes the importance of winning the trust of the local population through community engagement, which is crucial for gathering intelligence on terrorist activities.

Challenges

• Integration of New Troops: Newly inducted troops face the challenge of quickly orienting themselves to the local terrain and population dynamics.
• Divided Local Population: The local population is divided into subsets that either support the state, support terrorists, or remain neutral. 
  • Gaining the support of the neutral majority is critical for the success of counter-terrorism efforts.
• Operational Control: Recent trends show a shift in operational control from battalion-level commanders to higher command levels, which can hinder effective and timely responses to emerging threats.

About Operation Dudhi

• Historical Context: Operation Dudhi, conducted in May 1991 by the 7 Assam Rifles, is remembered as a successful counter-terrorism operation in the Chowkibal area. It showcased the effectiveness of battalion-level command in conducting operations.
• Lessons Learned: The operation highlighted the importance of allowing commanding officers to maintain control over their units.
  • Recent trends of centralizing control may undermine operational effectiveness and responsiveness.
• Need for Integrated Deployment: The success of future operations requires that newly inducted troops be deployed as integral units under existing command structures, rather than in a fragmented manner, to enhance operational coherence and effectiveness.

Way forward: 

• Enhance Human Intelligence Networks: It is crucial to build robust human intelligence networks by integrating local informants and community members into counter-terrorism efforts.
• Integrated Deployment of Forces: Newly inducted troops should be strategically integrated with existing units to create a cohesive counter-terrorism grid. This approach will facilitate knowledge sharing and operational synergy, allowing new troops to quickly acclimatize to the local environment and build relationships with the community.

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