Terrorism and Insurgency: J&K and the Northeast

Terrorism: concept and types

Definition: terrorism is the use or threat of violence against civilians to achieve political, religious or ideological goals by creating fear. There is no agreed UN definition. India has pushed the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) since 1996.

Types in the Indian context:

• cross-border, state-sponsored terrorism (J&K, and urban attacks such as Mumbai 26/11, 2008);
• ethno-nationalist insurgency (the Northeast);
• ideological (LWE);
• religious radicalisation (ISIS-inspired modules);
• narco-terrorism (Punjab, the Golden Crescent).

Jammu and Kashmir

Background:

• accession in 1947, followed by Pakistan's attempts to seize the state (1947–48, 1965, Kargil 1999);
• militancy began in 1989–90, driven by Pakistan-sponsored groups (JKLF, then Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed);
• the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits (1990).

Turning points:

• the Parliament attack (2001);
• the Uri attack (2016), followed by surgical strikes;
• Pulwama (February 2019), in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, followed by the Balakot air strike;
• the abrogation of Article 370 and reorganisation into two Union Territories (August 2019), upheld by the Supreme Court in December 2023;
• the Pahalgam attack (April 2025) on tourists, followed by Operation Sindoor (May 2025): Indian strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, and a brief military exchange. Verify the details.

Trends since 2019:

• stone-pelting and local recruitment have fallen sharply;
• infiltration and hybrid terrorists remain a concern, as do attacks in the Jammu region (Poonch–Rajouri, Kathua) from 2021 to 2024;
• assembly elections were held in 2024 with high turnout, restoring an elected government, though the statehood question remains.

Strategy:

• the counter-infiltration grid along the LoC: the fence (AIOS), technology and the Army;
• the counter-terror grid in the hinterland: J&K Police, CRPF and Army (Rashtriya Rifles);
• the NIA cracking down on terror funding (hawala, separatist networks);
• UAPA bans on organisations;
• development: the New Central Sector Scheme for industry, tourism and infrastructure such as the Chenab Bridge and USBRL;
• de-radicalisation and youth outreach (sports, Super-50, *Watan ko Jano*).

The Northeast

Causes of insurgency:

• ethnic diversity and identity assertion;
• historical isolation, and a sense of alienation from "mainland" India;
• porous borders with Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan, plus the Free Movement Regime;
• the migration issue (Assam, Tripura);
• land and resource conflicts;
• underdevelopment;
• difficult terrain.

Major movements:

Trends: insurgency incidents in the Northeast fell by about 70%+ between 2014 and the early 2020s, and AFSPA has been withdrawn from large areas of Assam, Nagaland and Manipur since 2022. Manipur is the major exception, with ethnic conflict since 2023.

AFSPA 1958:

• gives the armed forces special powers in "disturbed areas": arrest without warrant, search, and use of force "even to the extent of causing death";
• requires central sanction for prosecution;
• was upheld in Naga People's Movement of Human Rights (1997), with guidelines;
• the Jeevan Reddy Committee (2005) recommended repeal;
• the Supreme Court in EEVFAM (2016) ruled there is no absolute immunity for excessive force.

Counter-terrorism architecture

• Laws: the UAPA 1967 (amended in 2019 to allow individuals to be designated as terrorists), the NIA Act 2008 (amended in 2019 to extend jurisdiction abroad), and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, which defines "terrorist act" in Section 113.
• Institutions: the NIA (set up after 26/11), NSG (Black Cats), Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) under the IB, NATGRID (operational since 2020s), and state ATS.
• Coastal security: after 26/11, a three-tier structure (Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Police) and the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC).

International:

• FATF (Pakistan was grey-listed in 2018–22);
• the UNSC 1267 sanctions list;
• the No Money for Terror conference (New Delhi, 2022);
• the SCO RATS.

Common prelims traps

• Article 370 was abrogated in August 2019 and upheld in December 2023.
• The Framework Agreement with NSCN (IM) was signed in 2015; the ceasefire dates from 1997.
• UAPA 2019 allows designating individuals.
• The Mizo Accord (1986) is considered the most successful.

Quick self-test

1. *What is a "hybrid terrorist"?* A person with no criminal record who carries out an attack and returns to normal life, making detection difficult.
2. *Why is the Free Movement Regime controversial?* It allows visa-free movement across the Myanmar border, which militants and smugglers misuse. The government decided in 2024 to scrap it and fence the border.
3. *Name two institutions created after 26/11.* The NIA and the coastal security network (IMAC, Marine Police).

Practice: Mains question

*"Insurgency in the Northeast has declined but ethnic conflict has not." Analyse with reference to recent peace accords and the situation in Manipur. (250 words)*

Key terms

• Proxy war: a state using non-state actors to fight an adversary, as Pakistan's support for terror groups in J&K is described.
• Overground worker (OGW): a person who provides logistics, shelter or information to militants.
• Infiltration: illegal entry of armed militants across the LoC or the international border.
• Suspension of Operations (SoO): an agreement under which militant groups stay in designated camps and halt operations, as with Kuki groups in Manipur since 2008.
• Disturbed area: a declaration under AFSPA, by the Centre or the state, that is a prerequisite for using the Act's special powers.

Analysis: securing peace

Northeast: the accords show the value of negotiated settlements that address identity through autonomy (Sixth Schedule councils, territorial councils), development packages and rehabilitation of cadres.

However, accords often favour one community and create resentment among others. This was seen in Assam over the Bodo region, and above all in Manipur, where land, Scheduled Tribe status and drug trafficking fuel conflict between the hill and valley communities.

J&K: durable peace needs:

• political engagement, including the restoration of statehood;
• jobs for youth;
• protection of minorities;
• sustained pressure on Pakistan through diplomacy and FATF.

Throughout, democratic legitimacy and human rights compliance are force multipliers, not constraints.

Practice: additional question

*Should AFSPA be repealed? Discuss with reference to its recent rollback in the Northeast. (150 words)*

Answer-writing tip: for J&K and Northeast questions, balance the security response with political and developmental measures, and always cite at least one accord or judgment (Mizo Accord, EEVFAM, the Article 370 judgment) and one recent trend with dates. Avoid one-sided language; examiners reward balanced, constitutional analysis grounded in facts.