On Civilian deaths in Kashmir

Source: This post on Civilian deaths in Kashmir has been created based on the article “Army cannot afford to lose civilian trust in Jammu region” published in “Indian Express” on 29^th December 2023.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Internal Security – Security challenges and their management in border areas.

News: The article discusses the history of the Rajouri and Poonch districts in the context of cross-border terrorism. It also highlights why the recent death of 3 civilians allegedly in the military’s custody is a setback to the military’s efforts to curb terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir.

The recent death of 3 civilians allegedly in the military’s custody in the aftermath of the Poonch ambush (by the People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) is a setback to the military’s efforts to curb terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir. It can decrease the population’s support for the security forces.

The security situation in the border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in the Jammu region has a social and political dynamic, due to a mixture of religious, ethnic and linguistic communities.

Source: Anzar Ahmad Khuroo (Research Gate).

What has been the history of the two districts in the context of cross-border terrorism?

1) Early Years of militancy in the 1990s: The districts were used to access the Valley by exploiting the terrain for concealed movement.

2) Post 1996-97: This region has served as a fallback option for terror groups whenever they were driven away from the Kashmir Valley.

3) Late ’90s and early 2000s: This period witnessed rising terror activities in the area. The Indian Army conducted Operation Sarp Vinash in 2003, dealing a deadly blow to the base of militancy in the region.
In this operation, support from the majority community of Gujjars and Bakarwals was not just passive but also active, wherein Village Defence Committees fought along with the Indian Army.

4) Present: In 2023 alone, Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts in the Jammu region reportedly witnessed the deaths of 55 individuals (including security personnel and terrorists). The two districts continue to provide a fertile ground for terrorist operations and enable them to assert control.

Why is the region being used as a base for terrorist operations?

1) Sending a Message of Mass Support: By striking outside the Valley, terrorists try to depict the mass appeal of their resistance.

2) Difficult Terrain: The treacherous terrain gives the terrorists an advantage — they need not seek a mass support base for their survival. They can sustain themselves among the higher ridges of the thickly wooded semi-mountainous terrain merely by support of a few Overground Workers.

3) Lack of Attention: The general focus on the Kashmir Valley has led to the Rajouri-Poonch region being at a disadvantage in terms of development funds, implementation of government programmes, infrastructure development, etc.

The once well-consolidated support of locals has been decreasing.

What should be done by the Indian military?

1) Moving beyond mere military operations, bold and imaginative initiatives and countermeasures should be undertaken.

2) Including non-kinetic means, as part of a whole-of-government approach. This includes preventing terrorist activities through diplomatic, economic, political, informational, or cyber means
Note- Non-kinetic warfare generally refers to action against an adversary without a direct conventional military action.

Question for practice:

What are the various reasons for the recent rise of terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir in areas outside the Valley (such as Rajouri and Poonch)?