Increased Vigil By Security Forces Compels Pakistan-Based Terrorists To Change Tactics, Leaving Weapons Near LoC: Report

Increased vigilance by the security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) is forcing Pakistan-based terrorists to change their tactics, reported Indian Express.

Militants are now forced to leave weapons and ammunition near the LoC for their associates on the Indian side to collect, rather than crossing over themselves.

In 2023, the security forces have conducted 13 operations along the LoC, resulting in the confiscation of seven AK-47 and AK-56 rifles, 23 pistols, 15 grenades, 12 kg of narcotics, and over Rs 50 lakh in cash.

In the most recent operation carried out in Machil, Kupwara, forces successfully seized a significant amount of arms and ammunition, including five AK rifles, seven pistols, four hand grenades, and other materials.

According to the report, some of the rifles were extensively modified, while the pistols are believed to be of Chinese origin.

The effective patrolling by security forces along the LoC has made it difficult for terrorists to infiltrate, leading to multiple instances where they opt to leave weapons near the LoC for their contacts on the Indian side to retrieve, rather than attempting to cross over into the hinterland, the report says quoting officials.

The militants are provided with GPS coordinates indicating the drop points.

These drop points serve as locations where weapons are either left for the militants to collect later or where essential supplies such as food are stored for their sustenance.

Interestingly, there is often no physical contact between the two sides during these transactions, further complicating the situation.