In the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 on 5 August 2019, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has witnessed a transformative shift in its security landscape, fundamentally altering the dynamics of Pakistan’s decades-old proxy war and marking a decisive victory for India’s comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy.
A Paradigmatic Shift in Security Architecture
The revocation of Article 370 catalysed unprecedented changes in Kashmir’s counter-terrorism framework, dismantling structural vulnerabilities that Pakistan had long exploited. The Indian government’s zero-tolerance approach has yielded remarkable results, with terror incidents declining by over 70% in the five years following the constitutional change. This dramatic reduction represents more than statistical success; it signifies the systematic dismantling of a terror ecosystem that had plagued the region for three decades.
Security agencies have reported a comprehensive transformation in operational dynamics. The integrated intelligence grid, strengthened through enhanced coordination between the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, and intelligence agencies, has significantly improved real-time information sharing and operational effectiveness. The implementation of the Area Domination Plan and Zero Terror Plan in mission mode has created an impenetrable security matrix that has severely constrained terrorist movements and operational capabilities.
Dismantling Pakistan’s Terror Infrastructure
The strategic recalibration post-2019 has exposed and systematically dismantled Pakistan’s sophisticated proxy war machinery. Intelligence operations have revealed the intricate network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs), terror financiers, and sleeper cells that formed the backbone of Pakistan’s asymmetric warfare strategy. The National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) targeted approach to terror funding cases has successfully blocked financial channels, rendering terrorist organisations increasingly resource-starved.
Operation All Out, initiated in 2017 and intensified following the abrogation of Article 370, exemplifies India’s proactive counter-terrorism doctrine. Security forces have systematically eliminated high-value targets, with 318 terrorists neutralised in 2018 alone, including numerous commanders who formed the operational backbone of various terror outfits. The average active lifespan of terrorists has been reduced to merely six months, a testament to the precision and effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations.
Intelligence Supremacy and Operational Excellence
The enhancement of human intelligence (HUMINT) capabilities has proven instrumental in preventing terrorist activities before they materialise. Intelligence agencies have successfully mapped terror networks, identified recruitment patterns, and pre-empted attacks through advanced surveillance and technical intelligence. The use of sophisticated technology, including drone surveillance and signal intelligence, has created a comprehensive monitoring system that leaves minimal operational space for terrorist elements.
Recent operations demonstrate the evolution of India’s counter-terrorism capabilities. Operation Mahadev, conducted in July 2025, exemplifies the precision and coordination of modern counter-terrorism efforts. The successful neutralisation of three Pakistani terrorists, including the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack, was achieved through meticulous intelligence gathering and coordinated action by multiple security agencies. The operation’s success was facilitated by technical intelligence, including the tracking of communication devices used by terrorists, demonstrating the sophistication of India’s intelligence apparatus.
Neutralising Cross-Border Terrorism
The strengthening of border security mechanisms has significantly reduced infiltration attempts and cross-border terrorist movements. The Border Security Force’s (BSF) enhanced surveillance capabilities, combined with the deployment of advanced technology along the Line of Control, have created formidable barriers against infiltration. Multi-pronged strategies to prevent infiltration, including enhanced counter-insurgency grids and modernised security equipment, have substantially reduced the success rate of cross-border terrorist activities.
Intelligence inputs indicate that Pakistan’s traditional infiltration routes have been systematically compromised, forcing terrorist handlers to adopt increasingly desperate and less effective strategies. The coordinated efforts of border guarding forces have plugged traditional infiltration gaps, though challenges remain in adapting to evolving terrorist tactics, including drone usage and encrypted communications.
Systematic Dismantling of Terror Networks
The government’s comprehensive approach to dismantling terror ecosystems has yielded unprecedented results. Properties belonging to terrorists and their associates have been systematically attached and seized, cutting off crucial financial resources. The crackdown on narco-terrorism has further weakened the financial underpinnings of terrorist operations, as drug trafficking has become a significant source of funding for militant activities.
Statistical evidence overwhelmingly supports the effectiveness of India’s counter-terrorism strategy. Terrorist-initiated incidents declined from 228 in 2018 to just 11 in the first seven months of 2024. Security forces’ casualties have decreased from 91 in 2018 to 14 by July 2024, while civilian casualties have dropped from 55 to 14 over the same period. These figures represent not merely numerical improvements but lives saved and communities protected.
The number of active local terrorists in the Kashmir Valley has fallen dramatically from 109 at the end of 2018 to just 29, representing a 73% decline. Several districts, including Bandipora, Kupwara, and Ganderbal, have been completely cleared of local terrorists, with only marginal terrorist presence remaining in other areas. The reduction in terror commanders from 80 two years prior to just three operational commanders demonstrates the systematic degradation of terrorist leadership structures.
Economic Dimensions of Security Success
The restoration of security has enabled significant economic recovery, particularly in the tourism sector. Despite temporary setbacks following isolated incidents, tourism figures demonstrate remarkable resilience and recovery. The tourism industry’s ability to rebound quickly after security incidents illustrates the underlying confidence in the region’s transformed security environment.
Tourism arrivals have shown consistent growth trends, with infrastructure development and promotional activities contributing to economic recovery. The diversification of tourism offerings, including adventure tourism, cultural tourism, and border tourism to previously inaccessible areas, has created new economic opportunities while distributing security risks across broader geographical areas.
Institutional Reforms and Capacity Building
The post-2019 period has witnessed significant institutional reforms that have enhanced the effectiveness of counter-terrorism efforts. The unified command structure, with clear coordination mechanisms between different security agencies, has eliminated operational gaps and improved response times. Regular high-level security reviews, chaired by the Union Home Minister, have ensured consistent policy implementation and effective resource allocation.
Training programs for security personnel have been updated to address contemporary challenges, including cyber terrorism, drone warfare, and hybrid threats. The enhancement of forensic capabilities and investigative techniques has improved the quality of terror-related prosecutions, contributing to higher conviction rates and a more effective deterrent.
Final Thoughts
The transformation of Jammu and Kashmir’s security landscape since Article 370’s abrogation represents a comprehensive strategic victory over Pakistan’s proxy war. The systematic dismantling of terror networks, the restoration of law and order, and the fundamental shift in community attitudes constitute achievements that extend far beyond mere statistical improvements. They represent the successful implementation of a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy that has neutralised decades of Pakistani-sponsored insurgency.
The success achieved through coordinated efforts of security agencies, intelligence organisations, and civil administration demonstrates the effectiveness of India’s zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. The transformation from a region plagued by daily violence to one where terrorism incidents have become increasingly rare represents not just a security achievement but a triumph of democratic governance and the rule of law.
As security agencies work toward the complete elimination of terrorism from the region, the foundations laid since 2019 provide a robust framework for sustainable peace and development. The integration of Jammu and Kashmir into India’s constitutional and developmental mainstream, facilitated by enhanced security, marks the conclusive failure of Pakistan’s decades-long proxy war strategy and the emergence of a new chapter in the region’s history characterised by peace, progress, and prosperity.
The ongoing success in Kashmir serves as a testament to the effectiveness of comprehensive counter-terrorism strategies that combine military excellence, intelligence supremacy, community engagement, and sustained political will. As India continues to build upon these achievements, the region’s transformation stands as a model for successfully countering state-sponsored terrorism and proxy warfare in the contemporary security environment.
A military veteran who is now associated with Doordarshan, DD News, he does weekly shows, one in English and the other in Hindi by the name DEFENCE DYNAMICS. He also appears on various television channels and gives opinions in print media on defence and strategic affairs. He follows developments in weapon systems closely and carries out analysis on matters of Defence, Strategy & Foreign Affairs with special focus on India’s neighbourhood. A prolific writer in various newspapers and magazines, Col Danvir is the author of the book Kashmir’s Death Trap: Tales of Perfidy and Valour.