Action against Over Ground Workers to dry up logistical support for terrorists

In a bid to cut off resources, including food and water, for terrorists, the J&K Police have launched a crackdown on Over Ground Workers (OGWs) suspected of aiding highly trained Pakistani militants hiding in forest areas and repeatedly targeting security forces.

The action follows a series of intelligence inputs indicating that local support enables terrorists to sustain themselves for months in the deep forest areas of the Jammu region.

The police crackdown, which began three days ago in terror-infested districts of the Jammu region, has led to multiple arrests. On Wednesday, 10 individuals were arrested in Kathua district during raids conducted by Kathua Police and CRPF at 17 locations in Bani and the upper reaches of Billawar. The raids aimed to dismantle networks providing logistical and financial support to terrorist groups.

In addition to hinterland areas of Kathua, raids were also carried out in border areas such as Kana Chak, Haria Chak, Spral Pain and Chak Wazir Labhju. It is suspected that OGWs in these areas facilitate terrorist infiltration across the border.

On Monday and Tuesday, police conducted similar operations in Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, and other areas affected by terrorism over the past two years, resulting in further arrests.

Sources revealed that electronic devices seized from the arrested OGWs were allegedly used to communicate with leaders of terror outfits in Pakistan. Notably, after intelligence agencies began tracking terrorists using mobile and satellite phones brought from Pakistan, the militants stopped carrying such devices to avoid detection. It is now believed that OGWs provided their own mobile phones with communication apps to share photos and videos, particularly of attacks, with handlers in Pakistan. These materials were later uploaded on social media.

In past attacks on security forces, terrorists were observed using body cameras to record incidents and later uploading the footage social media.

All the arrested OGWs are linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba or their affiliated terror groups.

The crackdown comes amid criticism of intelligence agencies following the deaths of over 45 soldiers in various incidents over the past 18 months, many of whom were killed in ambushes targeting vehicles and patrol parties in forest areas.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Anand Jain, in a recent meeting in Samba, instructed officials to enhance vigilance at vulnerable points, including border outposts. He emphasised the importance of gathering actionable intelligence, fostering public trust and improving community policing. “Remain vigilant and strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms to thwart any attempts by anti-national elements to disrupt peace and tranquility. Work on actionable strategies to overcome challenges in evidence collection and operational bottlenecks identified,” Jain told police officials.