New Delhi, Dec 27: The Indian Army has significantly ramped up counter-terrorism operations in Kishtwar and Doda districts of Jammu and Kashmir, braving freezing temperatures and hazardous terrain to hunt down Pakistani terrorists attempting to use the harsh winter as cover, sources said on Saturday. Typically, the onset of ‘Chillai Kalan’—the 40-day period of extreme winter from December 21 to January 31—brings a temporary lull in terrorist activities as heavy snowfall blocks communication routes and isolates mountainous regions. However, this winter has witnessed a decisive shift in the Army’s operational strategy, according to defence establishment sources. Rather than scaling down activities, the forces have adopted a proactive winter posture, setting up temporary bases and surveillance posts deep in snow-covered areas to maintain relentless pressure on terrorist hideouts. Operating in sub-zero conditions with poor visibility, Army patrols are regularly combing high-altitude ridgelines, valleys and forested zones to deny terrorists any refuge, sources said. Security experts view this shift as an evolution in counter-terrorism tactics, highlighting the Army’s adaptability and determination to sustain operational momentum regardless of weather or terrain challenges. Intelligence assessments indicate the presence of approximately 30-35 Pakistani terrorists currently in the Jammu region, defence sources revealed. Recent intelligence suggests these terror groups, cornered by successful operations, have retreated deeper into uninhabited higher and middle-mountain reaches seeking winter hideouts to evade detection and avoid confrontation with security forces. Reports indicate these remnants are attempting to coerce local villagers for shelter and food, though local support and overground worker networks have sharply declined. The dwindling support combined with continuous security vigilance in lower altitudes has forced them into isolation, severely restricting their ability to regroup or plan coordinated attacks. The Army’s intensified operations in Kishtwar and Doda districts remain undeterred by freezing temperatures, treacherous terrain and heavy snowfall. Units have extended their operational reach into higher snowbound areas to pursue and neutralize Pakistani terrorists exploiting the harsh season for concealment. A key feature of this year’s counter-terror strategy is the integrated multi-agency approach. The Army is leading synchronized operations involving J&K Police, CRPF, Special Operations Group, forest guards and Village Defence Guards, ensuring seamless intelligence sharing, resource optimization and sharper operational execution. Intelligence from multiple agencies is carefully analyzed to create precise situational pictures of terrorist movements and hideout patterns. Once verified, coordinated joint operations are launched with tactical precision, maximizing impact while minimizing overlaps. The dual focus this winter is eliminating remaining terrorist pockets in known areas while ensuring terrorists stay confined to inhospitable higher reaches. This containment strategy prevents infiltration into populated areas and disrupts their logistics and communication channels, severely degrading operational capability. Security forces have launched concurrent operations across valleys, mid-altitude regions and high ridges to maintain overlapping control and deny movement corridors. Each operation is followed by sustained surveillance, ensuring cleared areas remain monitored. This “surveillance-sweep-surveillance” cycle forms the backbone of the Army’s new winter doctrine, balancing aggressive field operations with steady technological oversight. Specially trained winter warfare units have been deployed across key sectors. These troops, skilled in high-altitude survival, snow navigation, avalanche response and snow combat, have proven instrumental in maintaining operational effectiveness during the winter surge. Modern technology serves as a force multiplier in these operations. Drone-based reconnaissance, ground sensors and surveillance radars detect movement, track heat signatures and pinpoint possible routes. These systems, integrated into the Army’s information network, enable continuous monitoring and rapid decision-making even under adverse conditions. Operational strategies are continuously refined based on real-time intelligence, weather dynamics and terrain assessments. Even during Chillai Kalan, when most mountain activities cease, India’s defenders remain resolute, transforming the season of stillness into one of unwavering vigilance and action, sources emphasized.
Army Escalates Winter Offensive in J&K to Eliminate Pakistani Militants
