One year after Op Sindoor, Jammu and Kashmir sees tighter security, lingering border gaps

Srinagar: A year after India’s cross-border strikes under Operation Sindoor, Jammu and Kashmir presents a mixed picture — of a tightened security grid and relative stability in the hinterland, but continuing vulnerabilities for civilians along the Line of Control (LoC), especially in border districts such as Poonch, Rajouri and Kupwara.

The strikes, launched during the intervening night of May 6 and 7 last year, followed the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians were killed after terrorists opened fire on tourists at the Baisaran meadow, marking one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in recent years.

Security officials say the fallout of Operation Sindoor has been a sharper focus on deterrence and prevention within Jammu and Kashmir.

Over the past year, the counter-insurgency grid has been reinforced, particularly along infiltration routes. Officials point to enhanced surveillance, increased use of drones and electronic monitoring, and closer coordination among agencies.

“The focus has been on preventing infiltration and disrupting militant networks before they can strike,” a senior security official said, adding that there has been no major, coordinated attack of the scale seen in previous years.

However, along the LoC, the legacy of last year’s escalation continues to be felt.

In Poonch, which saw some of the heaviest cross-border shelling following the strikes, residents say little has changed in terms of civilian protection. As many as 14 civilians were killed during the shelling, many while fleeing as artillery exchanges intensified.

“We still don’t have enough bunkers. When shelling starts, people are exposed,” said Bashir Khatana, a resident of Mandhar village in Poonch.

The shortage of bunkers has been a recurring issue. In 2018, the Centre had sanctioned funds for over 14,000 bunkers across Jammu division, including individual and community shelters. But in several villages along the LoC, residents say the number of functional bunkers remains far short of requirement.

Officials acknowledge the gap. “Construction is ongoing in phases, but there have been delays due to terrain and logistical challenges,” an official said.

Security analysts say while Operation Sindoor may have reinforced India’s deterrence posture, it has not altered the fundamental dynamics along the LoC.

“The strikes were designed to send a message, and they did,” a Srinagar-based analyst said. “But the LoC remains a sensitive and active frontier.”

Compared with earlier years, ceasefire violations have remained relatively limited, though sporadic incidents continue to be reported. At the same time, security forces have maintained pressure on militant networks in the hinterland through sustained operations and monitoring.

Officials also point to efforts to maintain normalcy, including tourism activity and infrastructure development, though the impact varies across regions.

For residents in border areas, however, the memory of last year’s shelling remains fresh.

“Whenever tensions rise, there is fear again,” said Faisal, a resident of Tanghdat sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara. “People remember what happened and how unprepared we were.”

The anniversary of Operation Sindoor has also brought renewed attention to civilian preparedness in conflict-prone areas. Experts say that alongside military readiness, there is a need for sustained investment in protective infrastructure such as bunkers, early warning systems and evacuation plans.

As Jammu and Kashmir marks a year since the strikes, the picture that emerges is one of strengthened security mechanisms, but incomplete protection for those living closest to the border — where the impact of any escalation is felt first.