Hybrid militants, attacks on soft targets and social media propaganda were identified as three main security challenges for year 2022 by Jammu and Kashmir’s top officials from civil administration, intelligence agencies and security forces during a review meeting held at the Badami Bagh Cantonment recently.
An official spokesman said the core group meeting, co-chaired by General Officer Commanding (GOC), Chinar Corps, Lt. Gen. D.P. Pandey, and Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, discussed fresh strategies of the terrorist organisations and their handlers, “including use of hybrid terrorists and targeting of soft targets. ”Official figures suggested that 15 terrorists killed in 2021 were fresh names and not on the security forces’ radar.
“The challenge of propaganda of the nexus through the Internet and social media was highlighted. These efforts include propaganda to legitimise killing of Kashmiri civilians by terrorists. The use of social media to spread disinformation is widespread and needs to be countered proactively by a joint effort. Efforts at synergy in exposing fake news, booking of radicals trying to foment unrest and proactive sharing of information by state agencies are being upgraded,” the official said.
The top officials from the security grid have, during the meeting, acknowledged that the ceasefire has improved the security situation along the border. “However, intelligence inputs of terrorist launch pads and terrorist training activities in Pakistan indicate the need to be alert along the Line of Control [LoC]. On the Line of Control, late snow has kept the infiltration routes open for a longer time. However effective domination has ensured decrease in overall infiltration, including those from south of Pir Panjal.
The vigil on the LoC against infiltration of men, drugs and weapons is continuing,” they said. The top officials also expressed satisfaction over the setting up of the State Investigation Agency and the increased booking by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). “It shows the impact of focused intelligence and investigation efforts. These efforts have been effective in targeting drug, hawala and the over-ground workers’ networks. Legal action on those wilfully harbouring terrorists is being increased as they have direct involvement in terror activities,” the officials said.
