J&K Counter-Terror Strategy: Local Police & Democratic Governance

1. Key Shifts in J&K Security Approach

Element	Current Focus	Significance
J&K Police (JAKP) Role	Primary counter-terror force (central forces = support)	Leverages local terrain knowledge, community ties, and HUMINT
Democratic Governance	Urgent need to place JAKP under elected government	Enhances accountability & community-responsive policing
Pahalgam Attack (2025)	Exposed intelligence gaps; attackers evade capture	Highlights need for local intel strengthening

Latest Update: LG Manoj Sinha emphasizes tech-intelligence-community synergy in terror fight at Udhampur Police Academy.

2. Why Elected Government Control Matters

Mnemonic: "ELECT"

• Empowers local reps (MLAs/sarpanches) as public-police bridges
• Legitimizes security policies via democratic mandate
• Ensures policing aligns with community needs (not top-down)
• Counters public indifference through participatory governance
• Tailors strategies to local challenges (e.g., hybrid terror threats)

3. Constitutional & Governance Framework

| Aspect | Details | **|---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| J&K Reorganization | Post-Art 370 revocation (2019); LG-administered since 2018 assembly dissolution | | Panchayati Raj in J&K | 4,500+ elected panchayats (2020) but limited functional authority |
| Police Accountability | Police Act 1861: State govts control police; absent in J&K since 2018 |

4. Strategic Recommendations for Effective CT Ops

Initiative	Expected Impact
Activate Local Bodies	Sarpanches/MLAs share terror intel; boost public trust
Structured Police-Community Dialogues	Address grievances; preempt radicalization
Modernize JAKP	Integrate drones, AI-based surveillance with beat policing
Inter-Agency Coordination	JAKP + CAPF + Army + Intelligence agencies (e.g., Multi-Agency Centre)

Case Study:
Punjab’s Success (1990s): Police-community coordination crushed militancy → Model for J&K.