The Army has stepped up its counterterrorism efforts throughout the districts of Kishtwar and Doda amid the ongoing Chillai Kalan, the 40-day bone-chilling winter period in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to news agency ANI, which cited sources, army forces have extended their operational reach into higher and snow-bound areas in order to track down and eliminate Pakistani terrorists who are trying to use the tough season as a cover.
There are currently between thirty and thirty-five Pakistani terrorists in the Jammu area, according to sources and intelligence services.
According to information obtained over the last few months, these groups have moved farther into the region's higher and middle mountain regions, which are now uninhabited, after being besieged by effective counterterrorism operations.
They stated that these terrorists are thought to be looking for makeshift winter hiding places in order to avoid being discovered and coming into direct contact with security personnel.
According to the sources, in order to maintain constant pressure on possible terrorist hideouts, the Army and security services have taken a proactive winter posture, setting up makeshift bases and surveillance posts deep within snow-covered terrain.
The coordinated approach to operations has been this year's counterterrorism strategy. The civil administration, the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Special Operations Group (SOG), the Forest Guards, and the Village Defence Guards (VDGs) are all part of the coordinated effort being led by the Indian Army.
According to sources, this interagency collaboration guarantees smooth intelligence exchange, resource optimization, and improved operational execution.
According to ANI, intelligence from several agencies is meticulously combined to create accurate situational images of terrorist movement and hiding place patterns.
Coordinated joint operations are prepared and initiated after intelligence is confirmed, minimizing overlaps and guaranteeing maximum impact with tactical accuracy.
Security forces are now able to take action as soon as relevant information becomes available thanks to the improved response time brought about by the collaboration between intelligence frameworks and ground units.
The report claims that although support for the terrorists has drastically decreased among locals and overground workers, they are still trying to force or intimidate local villages for food and shelter.
Sources emphasized that a distinct doctrinal approach from surveillance to swift operations and back to surveillance guides this season's winter operations.
In order to reduce the likelihood of terrorists regrouping, the ideology emphasizes an uninterrupted cycle of surveillance, prompt response, and persistent watchfulness.
They said that this deliberate pattern enables forces to maintain constant pressure while conserving resources and adjusting to environmental conditions.
This coincides with the start of Chillai Kalan, which lasts from December 21 to January 31 and is the worst part of Kashmir's winter. The majority of mountain activity stops during this time.
In the meantime, the Indian Army has also stationed winter combat subunits with specialized training in a number of important areas.
These soldiers have been crucial to preserving operational effectiveness throughout the winter surge because they are skilled in high-altitude survival, snow navigation, avalanche response, and snow combat.
