16 militants groups likely operating in Jammu, focus on Doda ‘to gain strategic depth’

Militant groups active in Jammu's Pir Panjal and Chenab Valleys, using advanced technology, pose a security threat.

Over 12 militant groups, operating in twos and threes, are suspected to be active in the twin valleys of Pir Panjal Valley and Chenab Valley of Jammu region, which is in the throes of renewed militant activities over the last one month, which has left 24 people dead.

Official sources told The Hindu that the security apparatus tracking militant movement has intercepted over 16 to 19 signals emanating from different pockets of the region following the attack in Reasi on June 9, which left nine pilgrims dead and over 33 injured.

Authorities said offline mobile applications, which have locations pre-fed on it, and Virtual Private Network (VPN) applications “gave an edge to these hiding militants”, who navigate the tough undulating topography and dense jungles with technical support. “These applications could work in the absence of internet services,” another police official said.

The use of YSMS technology, which is hard to trace and detect, and SIM-less phone activation, where militants activate Bluetooth technology to connect with another group and across the Line of Control (LoC), has made it hard for the security forces to develop virtual intelligence on movement of militants, sources said. The police banned the use of VPN in the Pir Panjal valley in April this year and arrested three locals for possessing VPNs on their mobile phones.

Anand Jain, Additional Director General of Police of Jammu zone, had suspected the involvement of “six to seven groups in the Jammu region” on June 27.

However, locals, living in the upper reaches of the twin valleys, have reported increased sightings of militants, especially in Doda, which has by and large remained a militancy-free zone since 2005, police officials said.

In the past 38 days, starting June 9, at least 10 faceoffs were witnessed between militants and security forces in the Jammu division, mostly in Doda district. A total of 24 casualties were reported in these face-offs, which include 10 security personnel and five militants.