As the sudden surge in targeted killing grips Jammu, I’m more interested in dissecting the reasons than counting the corpses – be it the soldiers or the innocent civilians, even that toddler in Reasi, murdered in cold blood. These are the actions of bloodthirsty, professional foreign forces, the Pakistani Special Service Group Commandos, who planned these attacks with the help of traitors within our midst, as abhorrent as that sounds.
First and foremost, all those who laid down their lives were Bravehearts. So, no disparity in bravery would be considered in my assessment, let that be crystal clear. The unarmed civilians onboard a bus in Reasi, albeit had no M4 Carbines, AK-56s, or AK-47s to answer the M4-wielding, Steyr AUG-equipped Pakistani special forces, but that doesn’t make them any less brave.
I also justifiably consider the much-discussed statistics on the irreplaceable lives lost – due to the euphoric firing upon our fellow citizens by the Pakistani Special Service Group Commandos and Pakistani Army regulars – inhumane. To me, it feels like we’re merely counting coins to plead our case before a blind world. This includes the pusillanimous United Nations, and the bigoted, myopic, sponsored mouthpieces of serial killers, bought and paid for by the global headquarters of Islamist terror – the Pakistan Army – who hide behind fancy names like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty, UN Human Rights, and the like. And amidst all this, we receive no information on the condition of the critically wounded, be it our security forces or our civilians.
The ‘immediate removal’ of BSF Chief Nitin Agrawal and Special DG YB Khurania is a clear indication of infiltration by Pakistani SSG and Army Regulars, who entered Jammu in large numbers across multiple points of the international border with practically no resistance from our side. It appears the Indian government is attempting to shift focus from the serious shortcomings of our intelligence apparatus – both externally and internally – by highlighting the role of overground workers aiding the enemy. This approach, however, risks inadvertently shifting the advantage to the enemy, particularly in terms of communal harmony. It’s a significant misstep that the current political establishment seems to be making, and one that has been exacerbated since the appointment of the late CDS General Vipin Rawat.
Pakistan’s strategy is to transform the Hindu-dominated Jammu division into a situation reminiscent of 1990s Kashmir while simultaneously reigniting communal tensions in the valley. In contrast, many misguided teenagers and middle-aged individuals in Kashmir have made significant progress since the abrogation of Article 370. They are earning substantial amounts to support their families and are actively involved in restructuring their lives, having moved beyond the ISI’s brainwashing. Their desire for education and progress is evident, as is their determination to represent India on global platforms and aspire for national and international recognition in various fields, including sports and social development. This transformation of previously brainwashed Kashmiri talent represents a significant defeat for GHQ Rawalpindi/ISI.
Thus, the political dispensation at the helm must tread very carefully. The Pakistani Army and ISI are desperate, and reviving communal tensions in Jammu and Kashmir is their last resort. The political entity at the Centre should not forget the background of that traitor, ex-BrahMos Aerospace Engineer Nishant Agarwal. This enemy operative, swimming in resources with a bright future ahead of him, chose treachery. His community should take note of this betrayal.
On February 27, 2019, the Indian government retreated, offering the shameful excuse of prioritising a single life—Wing Commander Abhinandan—while seemingly indifferent to the countless soldiers and civilians slain in action. This indifference stings even more when we remember those innocents, including a toddler, murdered by Pakistani Special Service Group Commandos on a pilgrimage, within the safe haven of India’s own heartland.
It defies logic to overlook the presence of Pakistani SSG Commandos and Pakistani Army regulars operating within India’s heartland. These aren’t mere infiltrators; they possess significant firepower, honed skills, and a chilling ability not only to survive but thrive in the most hostile environments. They’ve demonstrated the capacity to overpower Indian Army units while evading all attempts at detection, launching surprise attacks with chilling precision and, often, zero casualties on their side. This “no blood trail” phenomenon after firefights is a glaring testament to their capabilities – a fact that should deeply concern both regular Indian Army units and our elite Special Forces.
In this regard, we must recall that the reinforcement units in Kathua reportedly had to fire over 5,000 rounds merely to dissuade two small groups of Pakistani SSG Commandos. These commandos attacked two army trucks of the 22 Garhwal Rifles Infantry Regiment, which were carrying 10–12 soldiers, rations, and logistics, on July 8, 2024. The trucks were en route to a temporary operational base unit (a makeshift structure built in coordination with the local police, based on operational requirements and intelligence inputs about the prevailing security situation). This base was just 4 kilometres away from their main base. Four Indian soldiers were killed, although initial reports suggested five fatalities.
The level of professionalism demonstrated by the attackers, who managed to target two army vehicles with armed Indian Infantry units and logistics within such close proximity to their base, kill soldiers, and engage reinforcement units in a firefight that lasted over three hours before withdrawing, is something that the Indian military leadership must recognise not only as a daring act of war but also as a situation that warrants an official declaration.
The absence of blood trails following firefights, a pattern emerging since the escalation of guerilla warfare in 2023 (beginning perhaps with the April 20 attack on Rashtriya Rifles soldiers, which claimed the lives of five Bravehearts), points to a concerning possibility. This lack of enemy casualties, combined with the demonstrated agility, precision, and targeted firing, suggests a minimal—if any—involvement of former Pakistani SSG or army regulars. These tactics indicate fresh recruits, not the methods of seasoned veterans.
Now that prominent media outlets and respected former Indian Army and J&K Police officials are acknowledging the insights of Kashmiri activist Amjad Ayub Mirza regarding the involvement of Pakistani SSG and army regulars, I urge everyone to revisit my own analysis, published over a year ago on News18. My assessments, presented then and remaining unchallenged, provide crucial context for understanding this threat. I implore all those dedicated to safeguarding India’s sovereignty – those who have stood firm, stand firm now, and will continue to stand firm – to consider my findings carefully. My warnings about the presence of Pakistani SSG Commandos and army regulars within India’s heartland have also been communicated directly to the Indian government and military through other channels.
Footfalls Pakistani SSG Commandos are deliberately leaving for the Indian military leadership to notice:
- Note the precision lobbing of grenades and firing of steel bullets from quickly occupied and vacated vantage points. Attacks often originate from the top of the very mountain under which other SSG members fire, presumably from concealed positions on the roads, as indicated by bullet trajectory and impact marks. Such a blitzkrieg of high precision could never be executed by hired terrorists; no amount of training can equip ordinary terrorists to accomplish such missions.
- It must be noted that most, if not all, attacks are being launched on the left and front of army vehicles. These attacks originate from mountains embraced by dense forests, riddled with countless natural caves, and offering a clear line of sight – never from the gorge side.
- The Pakistani SSG Commandos have been scouting multiple escape routes for years, routes that the Indian Army has been, and remains, unaware of.
- The number of natural caves within the densely forested mountains is seemingly unknown to our military intelligence units, reflecting a concerning lack of attention by the Indian military leadership. Studying this terrain – and its potential to harbour enemy forces capable of inflicting heavy casualties on the Indian Army – appears to have been neglected. There’s been a visible lack of effort to secure these forests. Considering that even a single natural cave in the mountainous region south of Pir Panjal can conceal at least five SSG commandos, hundreds of such caves could easily accommodate an entire battalion, along with their logistics. This threat is compounded by the support network of Over Ground Workers (OGWs), who provide shelter either willingly or under duress.
What we need to know about Special Forces
According to the National Army Museum in Chelsea, London: Various units’ areas of expertise include behind-the-lines operations, undercover raids, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, reconnaissance, and covert surveillance. They are assisted by the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing, which specialises in covert battlefield insertion and extraction, and the Special Forces Support Group.
The Special Forces are highly selective. Applicants must pass extreme physical and psychological tests, and only a small percentage make the cut. The selection process includes a series of five timed marches across the Brecon Beacons, swimming while wearing kit, a jungle survival course, and tests on evading capture and resisting interrogation. Determination, endurance, adaptability, and intelligence are just some of the characteristics that instructors look for.
Once inducted into their units, Special Forces soldiers undergo continuous training to maintain the elite standards required to meet the challenges they face in the field. Physical ability is essential, but it is not enough. Teamwork and creativity are equally important. To conduct a successful mission, Special Forces troops may need to deliver medical care, communicate in foreign languages, or make precise navigational calculations.
As a result, there is no typical Special Forces soldier. Each person possesses a unique combination of qualities and capabilities, which helps to form an effective team. Sometimes, those who possess the required characteristics are not the obvious candidates.
Pakistani SSGs have been trained by the US and UK Special Forces.
How to Trace Pakistani SSG Commandos and Their Army Regulars
One, deploy at least two to three battalions of Army/BSF to conduct simultaneous day and night cordon and search operations with door-to-door searches, leaving no room or basement unchecked. Utilise trained dogs for thoroughness. Demand Aadhaar cards and all other forms of identification from family members and any individuals found inside the house, be it “relatives,” “friends,” or “guests.” Maintain impartiality: no communal discrimination, preferential treatment, or oversights allowed.
Two, execute all searches with a multi-layered cordon of houses and neighbourhoods. Deploy Para Special Forces, Garud, and Marcos in the outer ring, encompassing all sides of the target area in “ready-to-fire” postures. The Indian Air Force should provide aerial cover and support via AH-64 Apache Attack Helicopters.
Three, dense forests with thick foliage necessitate “out-of-the-box” methods. Consider deploying airborne chemical agents that would force enemy units out of their concealed positions and into the open by impacting their breathing.
Four, with adequate protection in place, our special forces and army regulars must immediately launch a counteroffensive with overwhelming intensity and precision – a display of force that will resonate throughout the global military community. Beforehand, the adjoining villages must be completely evacuated, their residents relocated to undisclosed locations under heavy armed guard. This will facilitate repeat identification of Pakistani SSG members, army regulars, and their OGWs, ensuring that communal bias plays no part in the process.
Furthermore, the combat air patrol units of the IAF should commence frequent sorties over Jammu without delay, maintaining a threatening presence near Pakistani airspace. Even violating Pakistani airspace would be justifiable in this situation. Frequent incursions inside PoK are a must, for it rightfully belongs to India.
Five, I have already informed the developers about the misuse of the Alpine Quest Off-Road Explorer App by Pakistani forces for navigation without a mobile network. I strongly advised the developers to restrict downloads from the Google Play Store and allow access only to a verified list of users. Additionally, I recommended that the developers be prepared to share details of all users, or those under suspicion, with global intelligence units. I have not yet received any response from the developers.
Six, after the Uri attack, I wrote to Icom Radio Japan regarding their software “RS-MS1A,” which was freely available on the Google Play Store. I urged them to restrict downloads to verified users only, creating a database that Icom could share with relevant international intelligence agencies upon request. My concern stemmed from the fact that RS-MS1A possessed features that could be easily exploited by enemy forces. Icom’s distributor in India expressed appreciation for my initiative, and all pertinent information was shared with the Inspector General of the NIA at the time.
Seven, harsh as it may sound, this level of infiltration by enemy special forces and army regulars points to a catastrophic intelligence failure. The Indian Special Forces and Army regulars must respond in kind, carrying out operations within Pakistan’s heartland.
Eight, just as Rawalpindi GHQ/ISI intended for the world to witness their actions, we must respond by exposing their tactics and intentions for the world to see.
It is crucial to analyse the weapons employed by these enemy’s special forces. In my earlier article, related to an attack on an IAF convoy, I discussed the features of the American M4 Carbine. Here, I will introduce another weapon in their arsenal: the Steyr AUG assault rifle.
The Steyr AUG A3 boasts numerous Picatinny rails (Mil. Std. 1913 rails), enabling the rapid mounting of accessories such as optics, night vision devices, and target acquisition systems. A bolt release button facilitates swift reloading. Due to its highly adaptable design, the Steyr AUG A3 is a state-of-the-art, multi-purpose assault rifle suitable for both day and night operations. Armed and Special Forces worldwide rely on the Steyr AUG.
The use of sophisticated arms, such as the Steyr AUG assault rifle, which is exclusive to the Pakistani SSG, provides undeniable proof of the direct involvement of the Pakistani Army’s Special Forces. It is highly unlikely that they would hand over such advanced weapons to petty terrorists who can be easily bought by any political entity in Pakistan. With Imran Khan of PTI in jail, the Pakistani SSG is least likely to commit political harakiri.
Last but certainly not the least, the Government of India’s silence on these critical matters raises concerns. It’s imperative that national security and sovereignty, repeatedly challenged by both Pakistan and China, remain paramount, even amidst electoral considerations. While democratic processes are essential, safeguarding the very principles of democracy—including a nation’s territorial integrity—should be the utmost priority for those in power.
Given the alarming reports of Pakistani SSG Commandos operating within India’s sovereign territory, how can the highest authorities, including the Supreme Commander of the armed forces, the president, and the prime minister—all bound by oath to “uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India”—participate in Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 2024, with a clear conscience?
We must remember that conducting elections is the responsibility of the Election Commission of India. Domestic elections can never take precedence when the nation’s sovereignty faces such a brazen challenge from a uniformed enemy force, regardless of their attire. Have we forgotten, or are we attempting to erase, Operations Gulmarg and Gibraltar from the hearts and minds of the Indian people, especially those in Jammu and Kashmir?
Have we forgotten, or are we trying to erase, the indelible scar of the Baramullah massacre? The horrific torture inflicted upon nuns within a church, the unspeakable acts against women of different faiths—Sikhs, Hindus, and Kashmiri Muslims alike—all perpetrated by the same Pakistani Army regulars who joined forces with tribal raiders in 1947-1948?
Have we learned nothing from past mistakes? Mistakes that, if avoided, could have not only spared our troops the hardships endured in the Kargil War (a conflict rooted in a failure of political and military foresight that tragically cost the lives of countless bravehearts), but also potentially led to the reunification of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and dealt a decisive blow to Pakistan itself?
Aware of the potential consequences of their audacious infiltration and killings within India, Rawalpindi GHQ/ISI meticulously planned to open multiple fronts and employ diversionary tactics. The student unrest in Bangladesh is one such tactic, in my view, bearing the hallmarks of Pakistani involvement. Dhaka has reportedly confirmed to New Delhi that the Pakistani High Commission is actively fuelling this unrest, aiming not only to destabilise the Sheikh Hasina government but also, I fear, to assassinate Prime Minister Hasina herself.
Furthermore, anticipating a full-fledged Indian military response and the potential loss of PoK, the Pakistani Army is likely to open additional fronts in Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
The Indian Armed Forces must immediately prepare for a two-front conflict. One front, undeniably, lies within Pakistan. The other necessitates crossing into Bangladesh to ensure the safety of PM Hasina, a leader who has demonstrated remarkable resolve in confronting Islamist extremism. Her courage echoes that of her father and serves as an inspiration. The Sheikh Hasina government must be saved at all costs by India.
Simultaneously, the Indian government must resist all attempts—both internal and external—to exploit the vulnerabilities of the India-Bangladesh border. The mostly unprotected borders, especially in West Bengal and Tripura, are being used to facilitate the entry of Islamists and terrorists into India. The Indian Army should replace the BSF as the primary security force along the entire India-Bangladesh border to counter this threat effectively.
Until our political leaders, especially those in power, embrace a decisive military response—one that permanently cripples the demonic Pakistani Army—the tragic tally of those killed or mercilessly gunned down will only continue to rise. Whether by Chinese-made steel bullets fired from American M4 Carbines or the brutal efficiency of Steyr AUG assault rifles, the bloodshed will continue as long as our leaders prioritise political manoeuvring over decisive action.
(Note: Sheikh Hasina submitted her resignation and entered Indian Airspace en route to New Delhi or London at the time of submission of this article.)
Arya Ghosh is a National Safety, Security, Aviation and Avionics Analyst. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
Comments
0 comment