Hybrid or modular terror model has emerged as a new challenge for the security forces in Jammu & Kashmir as the terrorists involved in attacks are not known to each other and tasks are assigned among many unconnected ultras over social media platforms like Telegram.
Such modular mechanism even adds to the woes of investigative agencies like NIA in cracking terror-related cases.
Recent trends in the Valley suggest terror groups are resorting to operations through modules comprising hybrid terrorists who are difficult to trace in the face of invisibility and involvement of multiple players. Such modules also recruit part time terrorists to execute a certain task the individual then carries on with his normal chores, officials in the security agencies said. Mushrooming of women over ground workers (OGWs) has also emerged as a discernible feature of the latest terror tactic, they said.
The other challenges include use of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for sending weapons, explosives, drugs and fake currency, issuance of online threat and hartal calls by the terror groups via Telegram channels, circulation of fake news and propaganda through Pakistani online portal Kashmir Fight.
The terror groups have also been hitting soft targets like labourers from other States and minorities especially Kashmiri Pandits The Pakistani handlers of the terror modules are using Ankara for terrorism as many close combat weapons like pistols of Turkiye origin like Canik TP9 have been recovered in searches after encounters, they said.
In 2022 so far, as many as 29 civilians have been killed in Valley by terrorists including three Kashmiri Pandits, three other Hindus, 15 Muslims besides six outsider Hindus and two Muslims.
However, casualties of the security forces have shown a declining trend from a peak of 86 in 2018 to 77 in 2019, 58 in 2020, 29 in 2021 and 26 so far this year, according to official data.The civilian casualties have also recorded a declining trend from a high of 80 loss of lives in 2018 to 46 in 2019 followed by 37 in 2020, 35 in 2021 and 29 till so far this year.
