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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
A ‘new' old war: Why Jammu & Kashmir is more vulnerable than ever
The line between war and peace is increasingly blurred in Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab as well, as proxies and hybrid non-state actors of Pakistan could adopt drone warfare tactics to create a disproportionate impact read more Let me recall moments from mid-1999, when I served as Colonel of the Rashtriya Rifles, an experience that profoundly shaped my understanding of Kashmir's counter-insurgency dynamics. While Operation Vijay was being fought on the heights of Kargil, the valley floor was also under siege — albeit of a different kind. The ISI, innovating once again, had infiltrated special suicide squads of highly trained and motivated terrorists, many led by Pakistani regulars. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beginning July 1999, they launched sneak attacks on army and police camps that were then poorly secured by non-existent or minimal perimeters. It forced us into reactive postures. A large number of troops had to be diverted to static guard duties — defending installations, logistics hubs, and communication centres — all of which were vital not just for counter-insurgency (CI) operations but also for any future war. This diluted the effectiveness of our offensive posture; fewer troops were available for area domination, raids, and ambushes. Cut to 2025. While India analyses the success of Operation Sindoor through the lens of conventional escalation — targeting key assets in Pakistani Punjab and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir — one cannot ignore that the ISI and its ecosystem will also be conducting their own war games. Their objective would be to re-establish relevance in the Kashmir theatre and reclaim psychological initiative. Remember the Pahalgam attack of April 22, 2025, a brutal assault on tourists; it was not an isolated act. It was, in many ways, a copycat replication of Hamas' strike of October 7, 2023, on Israel — a sudden and high-visibility operation meant to create shockwaves and provoke. If we view Pahalgam in that light, it becomes clear that a new asymmetric campaign would be under contemplation — one that could integrate novel tactics and technologies for infiltration, recruitment of youth and management of hideouts. Also remember that the communication systems being used by terrorists are of the advanced Chinese versions, which are difficult to intercept. Enter drones, the bane of today's warfare. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Operation Spider Web: The New Template One of the most significant evolutions in modern warfare has been unfolding before our eyes in Ukraine. On June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched what is being referred to as Operation Spider Web — a sophisticated, long-range drone and sabotage operation deep inside Russian territory. The operation had reportedly been in planning for nearly 18 months. Small, innocuous-looking trucks — some pre-positioned and others inserted covertly — carried armed drones hundreds of kilometres into Russian territory. These were launched against airfields, command and control nodes, early warning systems, and other critical infrastructure. The results were spectacular; not just in terms of physical damage but also psychological disorientation. For a country like Ukraine with limited air power, this operation represented a stunning workaround, achieving strategic effects without traditional air superiority. The second Israel–Iran conflict of 2025 has added yet another layer of validation to this emerging pattern. For the second time in a single month, drones have not just crossed borders but have been launched from within adversary territory — in one case, reportedly from civilian rooftops in central Iranian towns. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Israel's imaginative use of small, autonomous drone swarms, leveraging both prepositioned assets and internal collaborators, illustrates the new grammar of warfare. It is a compelling real-world demonstration of how state-level actors are operationalising asymmetric drone strategies to create strategic surprise and psychological shock. If this is what state-on-state drone warfare looks like today, one can easily see how proxies or hybrid non-state actors in South Asia could mimic such tactics at a smaller scale with equally disproportionate impact. Just transpose this template to a sub-conventional, asymmetric theatre like J&K combined with Punjab. The implications are chilling — and very real. Drone Wars in the Kashmir–Punjab Belt Even though the number of terrorists operating inside the Kashmir Valley has dwindled, the threat is far from over. The conflict has been seeping southwards — into Rajouri, Reasi, Kathua, and even parts of Punjab. This southward spread coincides with the steady increase in drone sightings and recoveries along the Punjab border — originally attributed to narcotics smuggling, arms drops, and infiltration aids. If these drone operations are recalibrated for pure terror purposes, can one imagine the impact? It could also ensure the activation of all three target zones with lessened risk and yet a high scope for denial for the terror perpetrators. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Unlike 1999, today's terrorists can do far more damage with fewer men. The cost-benefit ratio of drone warfare is heavily tilted in favour of the attacker. Even low-cost recreational drones, assembled from commercial kits, can strike convoys, helipads, or civilian targets and create an impact in the information domain. GPS-guided kamikaze drones of the loitering variety can be launched from rooftops, fields, or moving vehicles. Encrypted communication apps, AI-assisted navigation, and satellite imagery make planning both detailed and deniable. The same open-source tools used by civilian OSINT communities — such as Google Earth and others — can be used for target acquisition, route mapping, and surveillance. A series of micro-drone attacks in a short span of time — on convoys on the Jammu–Srinagar highway, fuel dumps in rear logistics areas, or crowded civilian spaces — could paralyse response grids, spark panic, and create disproportionate psychological effects. That is exactly what terrorists sought in 1999 and managed to achieve for some time. This time the numbers could be higher as also the impact before the security forces find answers to neutralise them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A 'New' Old War What makes this emerging threat even more serious is that it blurs the line between war and peace. A drone strike from within Indian territory — launched from a hut, an orchard, or a cattle shed — does not carry the signature of cross-border infiltration. Attribution becomes tricky. This strategy suits the adversary perfectly; it revives terrorism without increasing physical infiltration. It creates 'ghost threats' — attacks without visible footprints. And it pulls in security forces into high-alert static duties, just like 1999 — thereby reducing proactive engagement options. In a sense, this becomes a hybrid warfare layer built on top of a disaggregated insurgency — a low-cost, high-impact model aimed at strategic paralysis and political destabilisation. Since the line between targeting civilians and security personnel has blurred with the Pahalgam attack, tourist spots would be constantly under threat, robbing both sides of the Pir Panjal of the tourist footprint. Even the Amarnath Yatra could come under threat. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lessons from 1999, Warnings from 2025 If the post-Kargil 1999 asymmetric surge forced India to rethink perimeter security, troop deployment patterns, and intelligence integration, the post-Pahalgam, post-Spider Web world of 2025 demands even more. This is a battlefield of algorithms and altitudes, where satellites meet sabotage and where drones replace the fidayeen. The war in Ukraine has shown what's possible — and the threat landscape in Kashmir and Punjab is evolving to reflect that. It is time we anticipate what comes next — because the adversary could already be contemplating the next moves. It's not as if there aren't counters to this threat, but that will need a full essay to cover, perhaps in the near future. The writer is a member of the National Disaster Management Authority. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
India Gazette
06-06-2025
- General
- India Gazette
402 Agniveers pass out from Dogra Regimental Centre after rigorous 31-week training
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): The Dogra Regimental Centre held the passing out parade and attestation ceremony for the 5th Agniveer Course on June 4 at the historic Jamedar Lala Parade Ground, according to a release on Friday. A total of 402 Agniveers passed out and were attested to be sworn in as part of the Indian Army. The Agniveers underwent rigorous training for 31 weeks from November 1, 2024, to June 4, 2025. This training included tactical and physical training, drill, weapon handling, field/ battle craft, and endurance, turning them into professional soldiers. Team-building and Esprit-de-Corps were ingrained through various sports and professional competitions during the training. A highlight of the training was a weeklong training camp conducted under realistic field conditions. The camp put Agniveers into various tactical exercises and situations, initially keeping them self-sustained for 72 hours in field conditions. It culminated in a gruelling 40 km 'Josh Run', a true test of endurance, spirit, strength, and willpower. Major General Anupam Baghi, Additional Director General of Rashtriya Rifles, and Brigadier Jitendra Sharma, Commandant, The Dogra Regimental Centre, reviewed the parade in the presence of other officers, families, civil dignitaries, and parents of Agniveers. The young Agniveers took the oath to serve the nation with pride and dedication, and to uphold the values of the Indian Army. The Dogra Regimental Centre has a rich history of producing brave and dedicated soldiers who have served the nation with distinction. The event was a proud moment for the Dogra Regimental Centre as it inducted the 5th batch of Agniveers into various battalions of the Dogra Regiment. (ANI)
News18
30-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Ex-Envoy Gives Reality Check On Pakistan's Nuclear Power: ‘Forget Madrasas, 1 In 3 Kids There...'
Last Updated: In the video, Hussain Haqqani pointed out his country's priorities by highlighting the disconnect between its military ambitions and the needs of its people. An old interview of Pakistan's former ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, has resurfaced online. The clip, from a 2013 discussion, is drawing attention at a time when Pakistan is grappling with economic instability and internal challenges. In the video, Haqqani, a longtime critic of Pakistan's strategic doctrine, pointed out his country's priorities by highlighting the disconnect between its military ambitions and the needs of its people. 'Half the population of Pakistan is below the age of 21. One-third of (Pakistan's) young population… never see the inside of any school — forget about madrasas, religious schools, any school," he said. 'Another one-third lives below the poverty line and another one lives just above it, and yet the country has nuclear weapons," he added. Haqqani's comments come back into focus amid growing tensions between India and Pakistan. A recent terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, has strained India-Pakistan relations once again. In response, India has reviewed some of its diplomatic commitments including placing the Indus Waters Treaty under suspension. This move has serious implications as Pakistan depends heavily on the Indus River system for its water needs. With the treaty now on hold, India technically has the power to control the flow of water from six rivers. In the interview, Haqqani didn't deny the efficiency of the country's nuclear programme. But he raised a crucial question — what good is it if citizens remain poor, uneducated and insecure? 'We are now like the guy who keeps buying guns to try and protect himself and then says, 'Oh gosh, I can't sleep because I'm afraid somebody will steal my guns,'" he mentioned. Haqqani further argued that the real threat was not external. 'The real threat to Pakistan essentially is from a failure to come to terms with its geography, with its history, and with having a direction for it as a nation," he added. The former ambassador called for a change in Pakistan's direction similar to what former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had hoped for. 'We will keep the nukes, but we will eventually sign up with some kind of international agreement… We are not going to live as an insecure nation," he said, quoting Bhutto's vision. Hussain Haqqani, Pakistan former Ambassador to United States, very well answers why Pakistan is such a failed state."One third of Pakistan's children will never go to school. One third of Pakistan lives below the poverty line…."All due to Pak Military. #FailedStatePakistan — Rashtriya Rifles (@DeltaRR2000) May 27, 2025 India not only took strong diplomatic steps after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam but also responded with military action called Operation Sindoor. Last month, the Indian armed forces launched precision strikes last month targeting nine terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). These strikes were aimed at camps linked to three major terror groups — Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. First Published:
New Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Major Rama Gopal Naidu becomes first from Andhra to receive Kirti Chakra for eliminating five terrorists
SRIKAKULAM: Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu, a brave soldier from the Telugu States, has made history by becoming the first person from the telugu States to receive the prestigious Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry honour. The award recognises Naidu's exceptional courage and bravery in the face of extreme danger. While serving with the Rashtriya Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir, Naidu led a patrolling team along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district. Upon receiving reliable information that five terrorists had intruded into Indian territory, Naidu alerted his team and attempted to apprehend the terrorists. However, the terrorists tried to threaten the jawans, prompting Naidu to swiftly eliminate one terrorist. The remaining terrorists opened rapid fire at the army team, but Naidu continued to engage them, eliminating three more terrorists. Another terrorist, hiding in a cave, opened fire and threw a grenade at the team. Naidu escaped the attack and completed the operation by killing the fifth terrorist. Naidu's heroic actions and selfless dedication to duty have earned him the second-highest recognition, inspiring pride and admiration for the Telugu states. His story serves as a testament to the bravery. The Government of India recognised Naidu's courage, dedication, and intelligence in eliminating the terrorists while protecting his team without any loss of life. Naidu received the award from President Droupadi Murmu at the Gallantry Awards presentation event in New Delhi. Rama Gopal Naidu is one of the four army personnel honoured with the Kirti Chakra award. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu lauded Major Rama Gopal Naidu's courageous act and met him and his family members at Amaravati.
New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Srikakulam armyman receives Kirti Chakra Award for exceptional courage
SRIKAKULAM: Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu of the Indian Army (Rashtriya Rifles) has been honoured with the Kirti Chakra Award, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, for eliminating four terrorists and saving the lives of army personnel at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on October 26, 2023. Recognising his courage and bravery in neutralising terrorists and saving army personnel, the Government of India conferred the Kirti Chakra Award on Rama Gopal Naidu, which he received from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on May 22 in New Delhi. Naidu hails from Nagaripenta village in Santhabommali mandal of Srikakulam district. His father, Appala Naidu, is a farmer. Naidu is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune and also graduated from the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun with a gold medal. He joined the Indian Army as a Lieutenant and was promoted to Major. Naidu is one of the four Kirti Chakra awardees and is the lone survivor. He is the first person from both Telugu-speaking states to receive the honour from the Indian Army. Union Minister for Civil Aviation, K Rammohan Naidu, congratulated the army major in New Delhi on Friday for his achievement and called his bravery a symbol of Telugu pride displayed at the LoC. Minister for Agriculture, K Atchannaidu, also expressed joy over the achievement of Ram Gopal Naidu and lauded his courage and intelligence.
