Context: To counter rising terror activities in border Rajouri and Pooch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army launched ‘Operation Sarvashakti’, where terrorists operating on both sides of Pir-Panjal Mountain ranges will be targeted.
In 2023, there were three major attacks on the security forces, and in the last few years, 20 soldiers have been killed in terrorist attacks in the area. As per the reports, most of the terrorists are believed to be foreigners.
About Operation Sarvashakti:
- Forces will be deployed on both sides of the Pir Panjal range to target terrorists.
- As part of the operation, additional troops from at least three brigades are being deployed in the sector from various reserve and strike corps. This is done to increase the density of troops in the area.
- Troops of Srinagar-based 15, Chinar corps and Nagrota-based 16, White knight corps (a town in Jammu) will be operating simultaneously with other agencies and paramilitary forces.
- Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, Special Operations Group, and intelligence agencies will be collaborating closely.
- The operation is being closely monitored by Army Headquarters and Northern Army Command in Udhampur.
- Motto: To counteract the resurgence of terrorism sponsored by Pakistani proxy groups and to focus on locating the terrorists’ hideouts in the dense forests, mountains and caves in the area.
- Need:
- Pakistan supports and harbours terrorist groups that operate against India.
- Terrorist organisations like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), have been involved in attacks against the Indian security forces and civilians.
- Despite a significant decline in Terrorists activities since 2003, there is a recent resurgence, which prompts coordinated efforts to address the threat.
- Operation Sarvashakti is launched on the lines of ‘Operation Sarpvinash’ of 2003.
About Operation Sarpvinash:
- From April 2003, the army carried out its biggest counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
- This was launched to eliminate terrorists who had infiltrated from across the border and set up camps in the thick forests south of the Pir Panjal range.
- Around 10,000 troops under the 15 Corps and 16 Corps were involved in the operation.
- Outcome:
- Eliminated terrorists and brought peace to the area that lasted until 2017-18.
- About 100 terrorists were killed in the operation.
- Large number of weapons of various kinds, dumps of explosives, and stores including medicines, and communication equipment were recovered.
- Some 40-50 terrorist hideouts were demolished.
- Need of ‘Operation Sarpvinash’:
- In the aftermath of the December 13, 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Parakram, a massive mobilisation exercise on the border with Pakistan.
- In early 2003, sources suggested that more than 300 foreign terrorists had infiltrated across the Line of Control (LoC) and established hideout camps and a communication network.
- These terrorists belonging to several Pakistan-based outfits, had created a demilitarised zone in the region.
Why is the region being constantly targeted?
- Areas south of Mendhar, which leads to the Pir Panjal ranges through Hilkaka, are one of the shortest routes of access for infiltrators across the LoC into the Kashmir Valley. Dense forests and steep mountain slopes in the region provide adequate cover.
- In 2018, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 2,936 cases of ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Approximately 40 percent of the cases took place in Poonch district, particularly in Kerni and Krishna Ghati sectors and about 35 per cent took place in the Rajouri sector.
- Pakistan targets the region because of two key reasons:
- Two main roads of the state pass through this region, Jammu-Srinagar highway and the road from Jammu to Poonch, which connects to Mughal Road between Poonch and Shopian in the Valley via Pir Panjal Pass.
- It’s a strategic corridor, and if hit, it can significantly impact not just the security establishment but also the local population.
- There is also a demographic factor at play here, as the population of Hindus increases as one goes southwards.
- These border districts do have a high Muslim population, but experts point out that there are social and cultural differences between them and the Muslims of the Kashmir Valley.
- Muslims in this region belong to Gujjar and Bakerwal nomadic communities, and have traditionally drawn less sympathy and attention from the Pakistani establishment than the Muslims of the Valley.
- Two main roads of the state pass through this region, Jammu-Srinagar highway and the road from Jammu to Poonch, which connects to Mughal Road between Poonch and Shopian in the Valley via Pir Panjal Pass.
- Problems in these areas could be traced back to the 1948 war between India and Pakistan, where forces sponsored by the latter suffered losses.
- History also points out the strategic importance of the Chamb area, which was invaded by the Pakistan Army during both the 1965 and 1971 wars. However, the troops were stopped at the Tawi river by the Indian Army. If the Pakistani troops crossed the river, they could have taken Akhnoor and would have been able to disconnect Kashmir from Jammu and the rest of India.
- The turmoil in these areas began after 1993, when there was a consensus among the Pakistan establishment to extend terror to these lower areas.