While terror attacks and encounters in Jammu and Kashmir had notably declined since 2019, a recent surge in incidents in 2024 has raised serious concerns for security and intelligence agencies.
According to the latest data, there are currently 119 active militants in the region, with a majority identified as foreigners, predominantly Pakistani nationals.
Intelligence reports indicate that of these 119 militants, 79 are active north of the Pir Panjal range, including 61 foreigners and 18 locals.
The remaining 40 operate south of the Pir Panjal, comprising 34 foreigners and six locals.
In recent years, the number of active militants in the region has decreased from approximately 200 in 2020 to 119 in 2024, with local youth showing less inclination to join militant ranks.
However, recent attacks have become more lethal, attributed to well-trained, hard-core militants wielding advanced Chinese and NATO-standard weaponry.
In the past four years, insurgents, reportedly launched by handlers in Pakistan, have adopted new ambush tactics, attacking security forces and fleeing into nearby forests.
This new style of militancy, labelled “faceless,” was highlighted by Home Minister Amit Shah at an anti-terror conference in New Delhi, where he called for enhanced technological training to counter this evolving threat.
So far in 2024, 25 terror-related incidents have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of 24 Army personnel, including officers.
Security forces have also killed 61 militants, including 45 in populated areas and 16 along the Line of Control (LoC) during infiltration attempts. Of those killed, 21 were confirmed to be Pakistani nationals.
Intelligence agencies note that a decrease in LoC activity and local recruitment are positive trends, yet the persistent violence across 17 of Jammu and Kashmir's 20 districts reflects a shifting theatre of operations and a sustained threat.
Contrary to official claims suggesting a waning insurgency, recent events underscore that the threat of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir remains significant and evolving, necessitating an intensified counter-terrorism response.
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