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30 Nov 2025·Source: The Hindu
2 min
Polity & GovernanceNEWS

Terrorist Hideouts Relocate to Urban Centers, Posing New Security Challenges

Terrorist hideouts in J&K have shifted from border areas to urban centers, complicating counter-terrorism efforts.

Terrorist Hideouts Relocate to Urban Centers, Posing New Security Challenges

Photo by Vatsal Tyagi

Security agencies have observed a significant shift in terrorist hideouts from traditional border areas of Jammu and Kashmir to urban centers and dense residential areas. This change in strategy by terror groups, often aided by overground workers (OGWs), makes it more challenging for security forces to conduct operations without causing collateral damage. The move indicates a tactical adaptation by terrorists to exploit civilian cover and blend into the population, requiring a more nuanced and intelligence-driven approach to counter-terrorism.

मुख्य तथ्य

1.

Terrorist hideouts shifted from border areas to urban centers in J&K.

2.

Shift observed in areas like Srinagar, Pulwama, Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora.

3.

Overground Workers (OGWs) facilitate this shift.

4.

Makes counter-terrorism operations more challenging due to dense population.

5.

Security forces adapting strategies.

UPSC परीक्षा के दृष्टिकोण

1.

Evolution of internal security threats and counter-terrorism strategies in India.

2.

Role of intelligence agencies (e.g., NIA) and legal frameworks (e.g., UAPA) in combating terrorism.

3.

Challenges of urban warfare, maintaining human rights, and minimizing collateral damage.

4.

Impact of OGW networks on intelligence gathering and counter-insurgency operations.

5.

Socio-economic factors contributing to radicalization and recruitment in urban settings.

दृश्य सामग्री

Shift in Terrorist Hideouts: J&K Border to Urban Centers

This map illustrates the observed tactical shift of terrorist hideouts from traditional border areas of Jammu and Kashmir to more densely populated urban centers. This change complicates counter-terrorism operations due to increased risk of collateral damage and reliance on Overground Workers (OGWs).

Loading interactive map...

📍Srinagar (Urban Center)📍Jammu (Urban Center)📍Baramulla (Border District)📍Kupwara (Border District)📍Poonch (Border District)
और जानकारी

पृष्ठभूमि

Historically, terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir were concentrated in border and rural areas, leveraging difficult terrain for hideouts and cross-border infiltration. This strategy often involved direct confrontations with security forces in less populated zones, allowing for more conventional military responses.

नवीनतम घटनाक्रम

The recent shift indicates a significant tactical adaptation by terror groups, moving their hideouts into urban centers and dense residential areas. This change is often facilitated by Overground Workers (OGWs) who provide logistical support, intelligence, and safe havens within civilian populations. This poses significant challenges for security forces, increasing the risk of collateral damage, straining civil-military relations, and requiring a more nuanced, intelligence-driven approach rather than overt military operations.

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्न (MCQ)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the recent shift in terrorist hideouts in Jammu and Kashmir: 1. Terrorist groups are increasingly relocating from traditional border areas to urban centers. 2. This tactical adaptation primarily aims to facilitate easier cross-border infiltration. 3. Overground Workers (OGWs) are crucial in providing logistical support and blending terrorists into civilian populations. 4. The new strategy necessitates a greater reliance on conventional military operations rather than intelligence-driven ones. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct as per the news summary. Statement 2 is incorrect; the shift to urban centers is primarily to exploit civilian cover and make operations difficult for security forces, not necessarily for easier infiltration, which is typically from border areas. Statement 3 is correct as OGWs are explicitly mentioned as aiding this shift. Statement 4 is incorrect; the news states it requires a 'more nuanced and intelligence-driven approach', not conventional military operations, to avoid collateral damage.

2. With reference to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, consider the following statements: 1. The Act allows the Central Government to designate an individual as a terrorist. 2. Only organizations, not individuals, can be designated as terrorist entities under UAPA. 3. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has the power to investigate cases under UAPA across states without prior permission from state governments. 4. Appeals against the designation of an individual as a terrorist under UAPA can be made to a review committee headed by a retired High Court judge. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: C

Statement 1 is correct. The 2019 amendment to UAPA empowered the Central Government to designate individuals as terrorists. Statement 2 is incorrect because of the 2019 amendment, which specifically allowed for individual designation. Statement 3 is correct. The NIA Act, 2008, grants NIA wide powers, including investigating scheduled offenses (which include UAPA offenses) across states without state government permission, reflecting its federal mandate. Statement 4 is correct. The UAPA provides for a review committee to hear appeals against the designation of individuals as terrorists, headed by a retired High Court judge, ensuring a check on executive power.

3. Which of the following statements best describes the concept of 'Overground Workers' (OGWs) in the context of militancy and terrorism? A) They are active combatants directly involved in armed operations against security forces. B) They are individuals who provide logistical, financial, and intelligence support to militant groups while blending into civilian life. C) They are foreign mercenaries who infiltrate across borders to carry out terror attacks. D) They are former militants who have surrendered and are now working with security agencies.

उत्तर देखें

सही उत्तर: B

Option B accurately defines OGWs. They are not direct combatants (Option A), nor are they necessarily foreign mercenaries (Option C) or surrendered militants working with agencies (Option D). Their key characteristic is their ability to operate 'overground' within society, providing crucial support to 'underground' terror networks, making them difficult to identify and neutralize, especially in urban settings where they exploit civilian cover.

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