Forces Plan For Tough J&K Winter Amid Jump In Ammunition Recovery, More Drones & New Terror Strategy
A senior BSF official told News18 that the rise in the recovery of drones, rifles, AK-series weapons, pistols, and bombs shows that Pakistan-based terror outfits now have enough supplies, unlike in previous years
Security forces have geared up for a tough winter in Jammu & Kashmir, with a multi-fold jump in the recovery of ammunition, along with latest guns like M4 rifles, increased drone movements, and a new network of OGWs (Over Ground Workers). Apart from these concerns, grenade and hit-and-run attacks have also increased in the past few weeks, hinting at a new strategy of terror groups.
Sources in the security grid said the forces have prepared a multi-layered, force-wise plan to deal with the situation during the year’s toughest season. Specialised teams of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed in different districts in Jammu as well as in Kashmir and more will be deployed soon.
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In addition, the Border Security Force (BSF) has planned to tackle the drone menace. The total number of weapons recovered by BSF has already surpassed last year’s figure (272) by the end of September (307). According to BSF data, until September, the force recovered the highest number of rifles and guns from the border areas, with a nearly 50 per cent rise in the recovery of rifles.
However, the recovery of AK-series ammunition has seen more than a 500 per cent jump from border areas, primarily along the India-Pakistan border. In 2023, the BSF recovered 2,579 AK-series rounds, compared to just 435 in 2022. Officials say this indicates the planning of Pakistan-based terror outfits.
“These are the total figures for the BSF, but the majority of ammunition has been recovered from the India-Pakistan border. There has been a rise in the recovery of drones, rifles, AK-series weapons, pistols, and bombs. Pakistan-based terror outfits now have enough supplies, unlike in previous years," a senior BSF official told News18.
Similarly, nearly 200 drone movements have been intercepted by the border-guarding force, which is significantly higher than last year’s total of 107.
Another major challenge for the security forces in J&K is grenade attacks. Over the past three weeks, the Union Territory has witnessed multiple such attacks, resulting in the deaths of both civilians and security forces. To facilitate their escape, security forces have also found that terrorists are using a circuit to delay the blast. In a recent case, military intelligence intercepted one such OGW who was arrested with 10 grenades.
Terrorists are also well-versed in the terrain as they are being guided by a new network of on-ground workers. The forces have arrested OGWs who were attempting to assist terrorists in J&K. The intelligence grid has been asked to provide details about terrorist hideouts and their OGW network which are helping them in hiding in J&K.
The winter season would be a challenge as around 60 foreign terrorists have already crossed borders along with a few local terrorists, an official said. This figure can go up in future depending on the weather conditions.
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