The security narrative in J&K today is dramatically different from what it was six years ago. The transformation is not cosmetic; it is structural. The steady decline in terror incidents, collapse of separatist street mobilisation, dismantling of terror financing networks, and weakening of local support systems have collectively altered the security landscape. What remains is no longer a widespread insurgency but a residual challenge – dangerous, unpredictable, but increasingly isolated. The Home Minister’s clear directive to security agencies to maintain relentless pressure reflects the understanding that this is the decisive phase in the fight against terrorism in J&K.
The numbers tell a powerful story. Terror incidents in J&K have declined sharply since 2019, with official data showing a reduction of over 70 per cent in terror-related violence. Incidents dropped from around 286 in 2019 to a fraction of that number in recent years, alongside a significant decline in infiltration attempts and attacks on security forces. This is not merely statistical progress; it reflects a systemic dismantling of the terror ecosystem that once sustained militancy across the region. Visible changes on the ground reinforce this shift. Hartals and stone pelting – once tools of coercion and propaganda – have virtually disappeared. Public life continues normally even after isolated incidents, signalling growing public rejection of violence and greater confidence in the security grid. Tourism growth, normal business cycles, and uninterrupted education are all indicators of a society transitioning from conflict management to stability consolidation.
A key driver of this transformation has been the destruction of terror logistics. Hawala channels that once financed militancy have been choked. Overground worker networks – the lifeline that provided shelter, movement, communication and intelligence to terrorists – have been systematically dismantled. Simultaneously, sustained action against radicalisation has reduced local recruitment, forcing terror handlers to rely increasingly on foreign terrorists with limited local support and terrain familiarity. Equally important is the socio-economic push aimed at preventing the next generation from drifting towards radical narratives. The expansion of sports infrastructure, promotion of start-up culture, and focus on employment generation are not peripheral policies – they are core security interventions. Youth engagement in productive economic and social activity is gradually shifting mindsets, weakening the ideological space in which terrorism once thrived.
The Home Minister’s emphasis on coordinated operations and technology-driven security is timely. Modern terrorism is no longer confined to infiltration through traditional routes. Drone-based arms drops, encrypted communication, and remote radicalisation campaigns represent evolving threats. Reports of cross-border drone activity for smuggling arms and explosives underline the need for constant technological upgrading and surveillance dominance. India’s response during Operation Sindoor demonstrated that the security establishment is adapting rapidly. Indian forces neutralised hundreds of hostile drones and missile threats during the operation, showcasing multi-layered air defence preparedness and coordination between the Army, Air Force and BSF. Yet, realism demands acknowledging the remaining challenges. A limited number of hardcore terrorists continue to hide in dense forests and high-altitude belts, particularly in parts of the Jammu region. Their survival capability allows sporadic attacks, which can have a disproportionate psychological and economic impact. Even a single major incident can affect tourism, investment sentiment and public confidence. This is precisely why sustained pressure, intelligence-led operations, and terrain domination remain non-negotiable.
Encouragingly, public cooperation is emerging as a force multiplier. Increasing citizen input about suspicious movement is helping security forces act faster and more precisely. This growing trust between people and security agencies represents one of the most significant long-term gains in J&K’s security evolution. Simultaneously, the message from the top leadership is unambiguous – complacency is not an option. Frequent high-level reviews ensure accountability, momentum and strategic clarity. The focus is no longer just on reducing terrorism but on eliminating its ability to regenerate.
The road ahead may still have challenges, especially as adversaries experiment with new technologies and hybrid warfare methods. But the direction is clear. The ecosystem that once sustained militancy has been fractured at multiple levels – financial, ideological, logistical and operational. A terror-free J&K is no longer a distant aspiration. With sustained political will, technological adaptation, public cooperation and coordinated security pressure, the remaining remnants of terrorism are likely to fade. It may take time, but the trajectory is unmistakable – and irreversible.
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