Intelligence agencies have exposed a calibrated campaign of Pakistan to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in the last four years. The sustained campaign run by Pakistan - from stocking-up weapons to identification of local resources over the years - has been traced.

A senior official in the agency told Republic that post abrogation of Article 370, Pakistan heightened its anti-India agenda to stay relevant in the system. To meet its agenda, Pakistan has used every possible platform, including terrorism. 

After facing failure for two years post abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, to make an impact on-ground, Pakistan began focussing on its old forts in Jammu and Kashmir. These include Rajouri and Poonch, which it activated in order to carry out multiple attacks on the Indian security forces and civilians.

Pakistan’s agenda behind Poonch attack

Pakistan carried out the Poonch attack to give a message that terrorism is not restricted to the Valley but to the entire Jammu and Kashmir. It wanted to create an impression that the people of J&K have rejected the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, and have taken up arms and ammunition to oppose the move.

The floating of multi-terror groups, including The Resistance Front (TRF) and the People's Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF) were part of Pakistan's plan not only to evade international scrutiny but also to give terrorism in J&K a local colour. The new groups floated by Pakistan have used this campaign against the Indian Army and the government of India on almost every issue to connect with sympathisers of terrorism in the Jammu region.

Hybrid Terrorist

It was during this time that Pakistan introduced the hybrid terrorist in J&K that proved to be a major challenge for the security forces. The terrorists’ underground network became their active cadres, which are carrying out the targeted killings that have been witnessed in the past four years.

Pakistan has also activated its old friends, including surrendered terrorists and the terrorists from Jammu and Kashmir who are still in Pakistan. This is being done to revive their sleeper cells to stock weapons as well as to identify the natural caves as hideouts to establish bases for terrorists being pushed from across the border.