With militants shifting their focus to Jammu and adopting more aggressive strategies, concerns over national security are once again at the forefront
The recent terrorist attack on Army Captain Deepak Singh, tragically killed a day before India’s 78th Independence Day, must be condemned unequivocally. This act of violence, along with the discovery that at least three terrorists were hiding in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), underscores the persistence of militant activities in the region. Unfortunately, this incident is not an isolated one but a continuation of the long-standing saga of terrorism in J&K. Recent attacks in Jammu indicate a significant shift in terrorist activities due to several factors.
Firstly, terrorists want to send a message that despite the abrogation of Article 370 and the central government’s commendable efforts, the situation in J&K remains unstable. Secondly, Jammu’s vast forest areas provide an ideal base for militants to launch guerrilla attacks and evade security forces. Thirdly, the improved law and order situation in Kashmir has led to a shift in insurgent focus toward Jammu. Lastly, while terrorism in the region had been suppressed for a time, it has not been eradicated, and militants are now re-emerging with increased vigor.