NSG Hub established in Jammu amid spike in terror attacks

Jammu Tawi, Nov-27:  In response to a surge in recent terrorist incidents in the Jammu region, a hub of the National Security Guard (NSG), India’s premier counter-terrorism force, has been set up to enhance security and rapid response capabilities. This strategic move comes on the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which oversees policing and security in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The NSG, known for its specialized counter-terror operations, has had a small unit stationed in Kashmir since 2018, following a proposal to deploy approximately 100 commandos to support Indian forces during high-risk operations. The National Bomb Data Centre (NBDC), operating within the NSG, has also provided occasional support for post-blast investigations, reinforcing local law enforcement efforts.

The decision to establish the NSG hub in Jammu follows a series of violent incidents and terrorist movements across the ten districts of the region—Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, and Samba. These districts, which had remained largely peaceful for two decades, have seen a resurgence of militant activity, with some attacks attributed to highly trained Pakistani terrorists adept at jungle warfare and evading security forces after ambushes. Recent incidents, including three ambushes in Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar, resulted in the deaths of 10 soldiers and several other casualties among civilians, the Army, CRPF, and police personnel.

The Rajouri and Poonch districts, which had been free of such attacks since 2003 following the Indian Army’s ‘Operation Sarpvinash’ to prevent infiltration via mountain routes, have also faced professionally executed ambushes involving Army and IAF vehicles. The involvement of Pakistani Army regulars in some of these operations has not been ruled out.

In addition to the Jammu region, the NSG has also been focusing on strengthening its counter-terrorism infrastructure in Northern India, establishing regional hubs in Amritsar and Pathankot to counter weapon and drug smuggling from Pakistan, particularly affecting Punjab’s Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot districts.

To enhance coordination, senior officials from the police, BSF, CRPF, and intelligence agencies of J&K and Punjab have been conducting regular meetings aimed at bolstering counter-terror operations and checking infiltration along the International Border with Pakistan. The appointment of former NSG chief Nalin Prabhat as Director General of J&K Police is seen as a significant step to address these challenges. Furthermore, J&K Police has deployed 19 special counter-terror units, mainly in the southern Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions, where terrorist movements have been reported.