Another terrorist attack in Poonch, this time targeting a moving Army vehicle with firing and grenades, killed five soldiers and injured another. This attack comes after the Dhangri carnage in Rajouri, where militants killed seven minority community members. The attack also follows a gun battle in the same area in October 2021, with high casualties. The terrorists responsible for the attack escaped then. Terrorists planned this attack meticulously, and the modus operandi is new to Jammu and Kashmir, usually implied in the Northeast.
Poonch and Rajouri districts of UT have witnessed significant terrorist activities recently. Factually, Poonch and Rajouri are hotbeds of terrorism right now, and the reasons are not hard to find. Poonch and Rajouri are situated along the Line of Control (LoC), which is the de facto border between India and Pakistan. This proximity makes it easier for terrorist groups to infiltrate Indian territory and carry out attacks. Pakistan has been providing support to terrorist groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Many of these groups have training camps and launch pads in PoJK and use Poonch and Rajouri as infiltration routes.
Despite all these adverse conditions, the situation improved significantly in the twin districts in the past, but since 2021, terrorism has resurfaced in the region. There are various reasons for repeated terrorist activities in these twin districts. One of the primary reasons for the failure to wipe out terrorism here is the lack of accurate intelligence about the presence and number of terrorists in the area. The Army always relies on the information provided by the local police, which seems to be too little to apprehend or encounter terrorists. Any operation in this area involves multiple units and agencies, including the Indian Army, the police, and the paramilitary forces, and any delayed communication, breakdown, or coordination issues lead to delays and confusion, which gives well-trained terrorists enough time to escape to safe hideouts. The mountainous region with rugged terrain makes it difficult for the troops to manoeuvre and carry out the operation. The inclement weather conditions also hampered the movement of troops and the use of helicopters for surveillance. Terrorists have been using the local population as human shields, which limits the scope of any major operation by the forces. The latest tactics, such as laying ambushes and booby traps, are new in Jammu and Kashmir. There is significant media attention and political scrutiny, with the local population and political parties raising their voices, which hampers various operations. This pressure has cascading effects detrimental to anti-terrorism operations.
Terrorists who were involved in the killing of seven members of a minority community in Dhangri, Rajouri, are still untraced. It is possible that the same terrorists or those involved in the previous attacks are still hiding in the area or that a new group is responsible for this army vehicle ambush.
Pakistan is perturbed by the ever-increasing importance and status of India among the international community. The Presidency of the G-20 and subsequent scheduled meetings at Srinagar in May are the latest heart-burning issues for Pakistan. They have been trying to ferment trouble continuously; most of the time, various security agencies foil their attempts, but this time, enemies of the nation succeeded in a cowardly ambush.
The situation highlights the persistent threat of terrorism in the region and the challenges faced by security forces in tracking down terrorists. The loss of five more soldiers is a tragic reminder of the sacrifices made by the Indian Army in their efforts to maintain peace and security in Jammu and Kashmir.
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