Despite high security, UT witnesses surge in terror attacks; soldiers, civilians bear the brunt

While Jammu and Kashmir has seen a semblance of calm in recent weeks, the year 2024 was marked by a surge in violence as Pakistan-trained terrorists infiltrated the borders, launching a wave of attacks against soldiers, civilians, and even pilgrims.

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Major attacks occurred not only in the Jammu region, which has seen a rise in terrorist activity, but also in the Kashmir Valley, where multiple attacks and encounters were reported. Migrants and locals were killed in cold blood, while security forces and police achieved only limited successes in combating the violence.

In Jammu, terrorists exploited thick forest cover in districts that had not witnessed significant terror activities in years. Kishtwar and Doda districts emerged as new hotspots, with multiple attacks targeting soldiers. Village Defence Guards (VDGs) also bore the brunt of the violence.

Terrorists often used advanced weaponry, including US-made M4 carbines and body cameras, raising alarm bells within security establishments. Questions were raised about the efficacy of the Border Security Force (BSF) after reports suggested terrorists had infiltrated through nullahs in Kathua district along the International Border (IB). After entering Indian territory, the terrorists moved towards higher reaches of the Union Territory. Ambushes and attacks on security forces highlighted intelligence failures on the part of both the police and the Army.

Key incidents throughout the year included:

May 4: An IAF soldier was killed and six others injured in an ambush on their vehicle in Suran-kote, Poonch.

June 9: In a major attack in Reasi, nine pilgrims were killed and 41 others injured when terrorists fired on a bus returning to Katra from the Shiv Khori shrine.

June 11-12: Security forces achieved some success when two terrorists were killed, though a CRPF jawan also lost his life during an encounter in Hiranagar, Kathua.

June 26: Three terrorists were killed in Gandoh, Doda.

July 8: Five Army personnel were killed and five others injured in an attack on a military convoy in Kathua.

July 15-16: Four Army personnel, including a Captain, were killed in action during an encounter in Dessa, Doda.

October 28: Three terrorists were killed in Akhnoor, Jammu, while attempting to ambush an Army vehicle.

Village Defence Guards also faced targeted attacks, with three killed in separate incidents. On April 28, a VDG member was killed in Basantgarh, Udhampur. On November 7, two VDG members were killed in Kishtwar.

Later in the year, terrorists shifted their focus to the Kashmir division:

October 20: A major attack on workers at a key tunnel project in Gagangir left seven people, including a doctor, dead. Six of the victims were non-locals.

October 24: Three soldiers and two porters were killed when a group of terrorists targeted their vehicle in Gulmarg of Kashmir.

November 1: Two migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh were shot at by terrorists in Budgam.

November 2: Srinagar witnessed its first encounter in two years when a top Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist, Usman Bhai, was killed in the Khanyar area.

These attacks have left a lasting impact, highlighting persistent challenges in maintaining security and combating terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.