Security agencies gear up to ramp up anti-terror ops after Amit Shah’s directives

Srinagar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set a daunting challenge to security forces, tasking them with ensuring a zero-infiltration and terror-free Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming months.

This call to action marks the beginning of an intensified approach to counter terrorism in the Union Territory (UT), particularly with the summer months approaching—when the risk of infiltration from across the border typically surges due to the melting of snow along the Line of Control (LoC).

Sources said that security agencies are gearing up to ramp up anti-terror operations, with a strong emphasis on intelligence-sharing, tracking terror funding networks, and enhancing border security.

A major component of the strategy will focus on improving surveillance, especially along the LoC, to preempt any infiltration attempts. Intelligence gathering efforts are also set to be strengthened in critical areas to ensure swift and effective action in neutralizing terrorist threats.

During his recent three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister urged all security agencies to work in seamless coordination to consolidate the gains made following the abrogation of Article 370, which revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.

His call for cooperation came at a time when Jammu region has witnessed an uptick in terror activities, underlining the need for a unified approach to address the complex security landscape.

A senior police officer involved in counterinsurgency operations outlined the tools and strategies that will play a crucial role in these efforts. He mentioned that the security forces are keen to deploy advanced surveillance technologies such as drones, along with sophisticated data analytics, to gather real-time intelligence on terrorist movements and activities.

These cutting-edge tools, combined with human intelligence, are expected to aid in identifying and neutralizing terrorist elements effectively.

“In line with the Home Minister’s directions, agencies will also focus on dismantling the financial networks and smuggling routes that fuel terrorism. There will be a renewed emphasis on tightening border security with enhanced measures, including the use of sensors and fortified fencing, to block infiltration attempts from across the LoC,” the officer said.

In addition to bolstering physical security, authorities are placing significant focus on countering extremist ideologies that spread through digital platforms. The growing influence of online propaganda, which serves as a recruitment tool for terror groups, has become a priority target for intervention, he said.