The Radical Security Shift in J&K:
The first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack has prompted a comprehensive review of Jammu & Kashmir’s security architecture, which shifted from urban containment to high-altitude terrain dominance.
- The shift refers to the structural transformation of the Valley’s security posture following the targeting of tourists at scale for the first time. It involves a move from reactive, visible policing in towns to proactive ridge-holding in the high-altitude Pir Panjal range, integrating advanced surveillance with a database of local service providers.
- The 2025 attack marked a transition where tourists, rather than just security forces or political workers, became primary targets in remote meadows.
- Over the last year, 43 Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs) have been established at altitudes between 3,000 and 9,000 feet.
- More than 50,000 locals (pony handlers, guides, etc.) have been enrolled in an Aadhaar-linked, QR-coded database to prevent militant infiltration into the tourism economy.
- Under Operation Mahadev, the three-member module responsible for the Pahalgam attack was eliminated within three months.
