Intelligence officials have raised alarms over the increasing sophistication and ferocity of recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, attributing them to either retired Pakistan Army personnel or terrorists trained in guerrilla warfare.
Reports suggest that weapons left behind by the US in Afghanistan have made their way into J&K through Pakistan.
The use of binocular-fitted M-4 US carbines and Chinese steel core bullets in recent assaults points to a level of precision and training beyond that of ordinary insurgents.
A senior police officer, who preferred to remain anonymous, supported these intelligence findings. He cited an incident on April 20, 2023, when Pakistani terrorists ambushed an army truck in the Tota Gali area of Poonch using M4 carbines and Chinese steel core bullets, resulting in the death of five soldiers.
“While we cannot confirm with certainty the presence of former Pakistan army regulars among the terrorists, the guerrilla tactics observed in recent attacks strongly indicate a higher level of training and expertise,” he said. “We are confronting battle-hardened terrorists equipped with sophisticated weaponry in dense jungle terrains.”
The M4 carbine, an assault rifle developed in the US during the 1980s, is a shortened version of the M16A2 and served as the primary infantry weapon of the US forces.
Chinese steel core ammunition, known for its deep penetration and armour-piercing capabilities, is particularly concerning for its effectiveness in combat scenarios.
Dr. S.P. Vaid, former Director General of Police, expressed grave concern over the escalating violence. “The current situation in Jammu is serious. Immediate action is required. Reports suggest that Pakistan Army regulars are guiding terrorist groups along with local terrorists who previously crossed into Pakistan.”
Intelligence reports have consistently indicated that weapons abandoned by US forces in Afghanistan are now being smuggled into Jammu and Kashmir via Pakistan. This influx of advanced weaponry has significantly bolstered the operational capabilities of terrorist groups in the region.
The Rajouri-Poonch sector, south of the Pir Panjal mountains, has seen a marked increase in terror activity over the past two years. In response, the army has dispatched additional troops, reoriented units, and strengthened its intelligence network to counter the escalating threat.
Security forces have also adapted their strategies, focusing on areas like Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, and Kathua, which have become primary targets for Pakistan-based terror groups.
In 2023 alone, seven soldiers were killed in counter-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley, compared to 20 in the Rajouri-Poonch sector. A total of 71 terrorists were eliminated, with 51 killed in the Kashmir Valley and 20 in Rajouri-Poonch.
The violence has spread beyond the Rajouri-Poonch sector. On June 9, terrorists attacked a pilgrim bus in Reasi, resulting in nine deaths and 42 injuries. Later that month, on June 26, three terrorists were killed in a gunfight in the Gandoh area of Doda district.
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