Terrorism and J&K Security

4.1 Cross-Border Terrorism

Jammu & Kashmir has faced Pakistan-sponsored terrorism since the late 1980s when Pakistan's ISI exploited the 1987 assembly election rigging crisis to weaponise Kashmiri discontent. Peak violence was recorded in the 1990s–2000s with thousands of militants active.

Major Terrorist Organisations

• Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT): Founded 1987 by Hafiz Saeed; responsible for 26/11 Mumbai attacks, multiple J&K attacks; designated by UN Security Council and US Treasury
• Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM): Founded 2000 by Masood Azhar; responsible for 2001 Parliament attack, 2016 Pathankot airbase attack, 2019 Pulwama attack (40 CRPF personnel killed)
• Hizbul Mujahideen: Oldest militant outfit in J&K; indigenous support; reduced significantly

Post-Article 370 (August 2019) Developments

• Militancy incidents declined sharply after bifurcation of J&K into two UTs
• Militant casualties: 2018 (267) → 2019 (157) → 2021 (182) → 2024 (26)
• Civilian casualties: 2018 (86) → 2024 (15)
• Hybrid militancy: New model — ordinary civilians recruited locally for short-duration attacks to avoid infiltrating militants

Pahalgam Terror Attack (April 22, 2025)

Terrorists (linked to TRF — The Resistance Front, a LeT proxy) attacked Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam — killing 26 tourists (22 civilians, 3 Central Forces, 1 local) — India's worst tourist-targeting attack.

Operation Sindoor (7 May 2025)

India launched precision strikes on 9 terrorist infrastructure targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — including JeM headquarters in Bahawalpur and LeT facility near Muzaffarabad.

• No Pakistani military targets were hit
• India's most significant overt military action against Pakistani terror infrastructure since the 1971 war
• Pakistan-India tensions remained elevated; India suspended Indus Waters Treaty consultations

4.2 Counter-Terrorism Architecture

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• Established under NIA Act, 2008 post-26/11
• Investigates: UAPA offences, explosives, arms trafficking, cyber-terrorism, organised crime-terror nexus, narco-terrorism, trafficking
• Jurisdiction: Pan-India; can take up any case involving terror without state consent
• Has registered 600+ cases and achieved 95%+ conviction rate (as of 2024)

Multi-Agency Centre (MAC)

• Central intelligence fusion centre under IB (Intelligence Bureau)
• State MACs (SMACs) at state level
• Enables real-time intelligence sharing between IB, RAW, NIA, CRPF, police forces

National Security Guard (NSG)

• Black Cat Commandos; elite counter-terrorism and anti-hijacking force
• Established 1984 under MHA
• NSG Hubs established after 26/11 in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Ahmedabad to reduce response time

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