Central Idea:

The article, written by Shashank Ranjan, a retired Indian Army officer and current faculty member at O.P. Jindal Global University, critiques the counter-terrorism approach in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the need to reevaluate the obsession with the number of terrorists killed. It highlights the historical context of insurgency in the Rajouri-Poonch region and argues that a singular focus on ‘kills’ may be counterproductive in achieving long-term stability.

Key Highlights:

• The new year in Jammu and Kashmir began with a terror strike in Rajouri-Poonch, leading to a renewed focus on the number of terrorists killed by security forces.
• The article questions the efficacy of the current counter-terrorism approach, suggesting that an obsession with numbers may not align with the changing dynamics of insurgency in the region.
• Ranjan draws attention to the historical success in curbing insurgency in Rajouri-Poonch by addressing the root causes, and how the focus on ‘kills’ might be contributing to the re-emergence of instability.

Key Challenges:

• The article highlights the challenges posed by a system that is reluctant to adapt to changing dynamics and continues to prioritize short-term gains and competitive career environments over long-term stability.
• The gap between the tactical-level operations and people-centric approaches is emphasized, pointing out the lapses that have led to civilian casualties and operational rush for ‘kills.’
• The reluctance of political initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir is mentioned as a challenge, hindering a comprehensive resolution through a whole-of-government approach.

Key Terms:

• Counter-terrorism: Measures and strategies to combat terrorism and insurgencies.
• People-centric: Approaches and operations that prioritize the well-being and acceptance of the local population.
• Whole-of-Government Approach: An integrated approach involving all government agencies to address complex issues.

Key Phrases:

• “Debatable obsession with the numbers of terrorists killed.”
• “Misplaced focus of the counter-terrorism approach.”
• “Tail wagging the dog” – Pursuing goals without regard to the means.

Key Quotes:

• “In our undue obsession with the numbers of ‘kills’, we may have been winning the battle by addressing the symptoms, but it has indeed been at the cost of the campaign.”
• “Chasing numbers was the obvious option in the years when terror-related fatalities in J&K touched a yearly mark of 2,000-plus.”

Key Statements:

• “The situational dynamics, unfortunately, never ushered in adjustments in the modus operandi of security forces and assessment methodology of unit performance by the hierarchy.”
• “Leadership is all about compensating any cost to the soldier, with the leader standing up to bridge the gap between the interests of people and soldiers.”

Key Examples and References:

• Refers to the historical success in curbing insurgency in Rajouri-Poonch by addressing root causes.
• Mentions the unfortunate death of three civilians in Dera ki Gali as a consequence of lapses in people-centric policies.

Key Facts and Data:

• Reports declining terror-related fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir, contrasting figures at 134 in 2023 with over 2,000 in earlier years.
• Highlights the absence of Assembly representation in J&K since 2018.

Critical Analysis:

The article critically analyzes the counter-terrorism approach, pointing out the flaws in focusing solely on the number of terrorists killed. It underlines the need for adaptation to changing dynamics, a people-centric approach, and a shift from short-term gains to long-term stability.

Way Forward:

• Urges a reevaluation of the current counter-terrorism strategy to align with the evolving dynamics of insurgency.
• Emphasizes the importance of a people-centric approach and addressing the root causes of conflict.
• Calls for political initiatives and a whole-of-government approach to achieving comprehensive and lasting stability in Jammu and Kashmir.

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