“A better terror fight with J&K police under state reins” by Col. Shashank Ranjan:
Local Police: The Cornerstone of Counter-Terror Strategy
- J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha emphasised eradicating terrorism as a top priority (June 16, 2025).
- Called upon Jammu and Kashmir Police (JAKP) to adopt a multi-pronged strategy involving:
- Modern technology
- Intelligence
- Community engagement
- Inter-agency collaboration
Key Point: Central forces can supplement but not replace local police forces, whose regional knowledge and local connections are indispensable.
Human Intelligence (HUMINT): A Missing Link
- The April 2025 Pahalgam attack revealed gaps in HUMINT, which could have potentially prevented the attack.
- Local police are best placed to generate actionable HUMINT due to their intimate connect with the community.
Insight: Without strong intelligence networks rooted in the community, proactive counter-terrorism is nearly impossible.
Empowering Elected Governance in Security
- JAKP should function under a democratically elected government to ensure local accountability and trust.
- Elected representatives (MLAs, sarpanches) are more likely to receive community inputs on suspicious activities than external agencies.
🗳️ Argument: Restoring democratic structures (from Panchayats to Parliament) will enable a more inclusive and effective counter-terrorism strategy.
Democracy and Security: Two Sides of the Same Coin
- J&K has shown strong local election participation, yet local bodies remain disempowered.
- Participatory governance will prevent public disengagement and political apathy, which can worsen security challenges.
Policy Suggestion: Encourage a structured dialogue between local leaders and police to:
- Enhance public safety
- Improve policing strategies
- Build community trust
One Size Doesn’t Fit All: Contextual Counter-Terrorism
- Terrorism in J&K has localised variants, combining local and foreign cadres.
- Countermeasures must be region-specific, driven by local governance and community-police synergy.
🔄 Example: Thana-level JAKP units, when embedded with local governance, have historically delivered positive security outcomes.
Restoring State Reins: For Accountable & Responsive Policing
- Keeping elected representatives out of the security loop leads to a disconnect between the police and the public.
- Restoring control of JAKP to a locally elected government ensures:
- Public trust
- Effective policing
- Democratic legitimacy
Conclusion:
Counter-terrorism is not just a security project, but a governance challenge. Without democratic involvement, community engagement and lasting peace will remain elusive.
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