Security Experts Call for Strategic Reassessment Amid Surge in Jammu Terror Activities

With a rise in terrorist activities in Jammu, security experts suggest revising counterterrorism strategies. Lt Gen (Retd) D S Hooda and Lt Gen (Retd) Paramjit Singh Sangha emphasize the need for proactive measures. Recent violent incidents, including ambushes and attacks on pilgrims, highlight the urgency for updated strategies and local support.

With an alarming uptick in terrorist activities in the typically peaceful Jammu region, leading security experts are recommending a comprehensive reassessment of current counterterrorism strategies. Retired Lieutenant General D S Hooda, former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Udhampur-based Northern Command, stressed the need for a proactive approach to counter evolving terrorist tactics.

Similarly, former Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) Lt Gen Paramjit Singh Sangha voiced confidence in the security forces’ ability to learn from recent mistakes and improve counterinsurgency efforts. The Jammu region has seen several violent incidents recently, notably an ambush in the remote forest areas of Machedi, Kathua, that claimed nine army personnel, including a captain.

On June 9, another terrorist attack killed nine passengers, including seven pilgrims returning from the Shiv Khori temple. While several suspects have been arrested, the main assailants remain unidentified. Lt Gen (Retd) Hooda highlighted the shift in tactics towards ambush and 'shoot and scoot' strategies and called for reevaluating security responses, especially in the challenging terrains of Jammu.