Strengthening of human intelligence bearing results in anti-terror operations Experts

After multiple setbacks to security forces in the Jammu division over the past three years, the Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have recalibrated their counter-terrorism strategy by placing greater emphasis on human intelligence, say experts According to them, the renewed approach marks a conscious shift away from overdependence on technical surveillance, with intelligence and security agencies increasingly relying on local inputs to track the movement of terrorists. In recent years, Pakistani terrorists who earlier infiltrated with satellite phones and mobile devices have largely abandoned such communication methods. Instead, they now depend on overground workers and local residents in remote villages to relay messages to handlers across the border, sources said.

There have been several instances in which terrorists, particularly in the hilly and mountainous areas of Kathua, Udhampur, Poonch, Rajouri, Doda and Kishtwar, entered homes in the evening and took away residents’ mobile phones. Using encrypted communication applications, they contacted their handlers before returning the devices, they added.

In the absence of robust human intelligence, security forces found it extremely difficult to pinpoint the locations of terrorists hiding in dense forest areas. Intelligence sources said that as the Jammu region remained largely peaceful for several years, the focus on maintaining human intelligence networks had diminished.

“Many Army units were redeployed to other areas, particularly from Rajouri and Poonch. Interaction with informers declined, leading to the degradation of the human intelligence network. When terrorism resurfaced in 2022 with the infiltration of Pakistani terrorists into the Jammu region, agencies relied mainly on technical inputs, which proved ineffective as the terrorists had changed their strategy,” the sources said.

The People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a proxy outfit of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, carried out multiple ambushes on military convoys in forested areas of the region during 2023 and 2024. Videos of these attacks were later circulated as propaganda on social media.

With limited specific intelligence, security forces launched cordon-and-search operations in forest areas following encounters. While several terrorists were eliminated, a number of security personnel also lost their lives. It was believed that the terrorists exploited the dense forest cover to stage ambushes.

Sources said that along with the induction of additional troops in the region, special emphasis was placed on rebuilding the human intelligence network. Police announced rewards for credible information on terrorists in several districts.

“Strengthening human intelligence is an ongoing process in the region. Successful operations are now being conducted based on specific inputs. Casualties among security forces have reduced significantly, and sustained pressure has been mounted on terrorists, who are being forced to remain on the move,” intelligence sources said.

DISCLAIMER:                                                                                                                                                              

The views expressed in the Article above are Author’s personal views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it. 

Courtesy: The Tribune -12-Jan-2026