In response to a series of recent terrorist attacks in the Poonch and Rajouri regions of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army has made the decision to initiate Operation Sarvashakti, a comprehensive anti-terror campaign. This large-scale operation is set to be conducted on both sides of the Pir Panjal ranges, with security forces executing actions against terrorists closely monitored by the Army headquarters and Northern Command, as per information from top sources within the security establishment, shared with India Today.
The execution of Operation Sarvashakti will involve active collaboration between the Indian Army, state agencies, and intelligence agencies, all working in coordination to counteract perceived designs from Pakistan, officials revealed. The decision was reached following a high-level security review meeting conducted by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, involving multiple stakeholders focused on the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Rajouri-Poonch area has experienced heightened terrorist activities in the past year, marked by multiple terror incidents. Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande, expressing concern over the "rising terrorism" in the Pir Panjal Range, highlighted that proxy terror groups operating in the region continue to receive support from across the Line of Control (LoC), where the infrastructure supporting terrorists remains intact.
Gen Manoj Pande, in a media briefing ahead of Army Day on January 15, mentioned ongoing efforts to enhance synergy with other agencies, including the police, and the use of technology to achieve favorable outcomes. The army is focused on addressing the challenges at hand and refrains from discussing past setbacks, he added.
The decision to launch Operation Sarvashakti follows a terrorist ambush on Army vehicles on December 21 at Dhatyar Morh, resulting in the death of four army soldiers. Subsequently, a comprehensive combing operation was initiated. In the latest incident on Friday in Poonch district, "suspected terrorists" fired at a convoy of Army vehicles.
