Steel Bullets, Shadowy Ambushes: New Terror Tactics Challenge Indian Army in Kashmir

Indian Army intelligence sources have raised serious concerns about a worrying trend in terrorist attacks in the Kashmir region. Terrorists have adopted new tactics, employing steel-core bullets and well-coordinated "hit-and-run" strategies, leading to casualties among Indian security forces.

Steel-Core Bullets: A Deadly Upgrade​

A key aspect of these attacks is the use of steel-core bullets. Unlike standard ammunition, these bullets are designed to penetrate armor, posing a grave threat to military vehicles and personnel, even at close range. This poses a significant challenge for the Indian Army, as traditional bulletproof protection may not be sufficient against this type of ammunition.

Hit-and-Run Tactics: Precision and Evasion​

The terrorists' strategy appears meticulously planned. Intelligence suggests they possess detailed knowledge of troop movements and strategically position themselves for ambushes. These attacks often involve firing from multiple directions, causing confusion and maximizing casualties before a swift escape into the dense forests, hindering the effectiveness of reinforcements.

A Pattern of Escalation​

This shift in tactics is part of a broader trend observed over the past year. Security forces have identified several incidents where similar methods were employed, resulting in casualties among Indian troops. These incidents include:

• May 4, 2024: An Indian Air Force serviceman killed in an ambush at Surankote, Poonch.
• Dec 21, 2023: Four soldiers killed by terrorists in Surankote.
• Nov 22-23: Two officers among five killed in a Kalakote encounter.
• Sept 13: One soldier killed in an encounter in Rajouri’s Narla area.
• May 5: Five Army commandos killed in an IED blast in Rajouri’s Kandi.
• April 20: Five soldiers killed in an ambush at Bhatta Dhurian, Poonch.

Adapting to the Threat​

The Indian Army acknowledges the serious challenge posed by these evolving tactics. While specific countermeasures remain confidential, security forces are actively seeking solutions to prevent future casualties. This may involve improving intelligence gathering, revising deployment strategies, and potentially acquiring more robustly armored vehicles to counter the threat of steel-core bullets.

The Way Forward​

The use of steel-core bullets and hit-and-run tactics presents a significant challenge for the Indian Army in Kashmir. The need to adapt to these new methods highlights the evolving nature of the conflict in the region. As the situation unfolds, the Indian Army's response will be crucial in maintaining security and protecting lives.

 

[Hari Sud]

Repeat of Balkote is overdue. The Pakistanis have to pay price for these attacks.

 

[Satheesh Satheesh]

Army strength is very less on last 5 year work load is very heavy
Pension out 80000+ soldier every year agniveer is not combat efficient

Problem is????

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

Why the areas where the convoy passes are not sanitized first using drones.

 

[Cookie monster]

Why don't we climb the escalation ladder more aggressively? Always softies our government

 

[Tls Mani]

Why not use defoliants & clear forests where they hide & track & kill them

 

[Deepak Hegde]

The informer network seems to have totally collapsed in Kashmir for the army. In addition, the army is employing too soft measures to tackle terrorists. Maximum destructive force need to be used with strict intructions of no taking prisnors.

 

[Boomeranger]

IA also MUST switch to steel bullets soon please!!!!

 

[Indian1]

Repeat of Balkote is overdue. The Pakistanis have to pay price for these attacks.

A balakot once in 10 years is not enough. Regularly bomb terrorist bases every week like Israel.

 

[Akshat]

The informer network seems to have totally collapsed in Kashmir for the army. In addition, the army is employing too soft measures to tackle terrorists. Maximum destructive force need to be used with strict intructions of no taking prisnors.

Bro…one or 2 incidents don’t paint a pattern. Terrorist activities are probably at a historic low. The number of terrorists is at a record low (34 only). Number of terrorist activities is at a historic low. Number of targeted attacks against civilians is at 14 (2023), another historic low. Same pattern is seen in all the figures.

You think this is possible with a collapsed intelligence network or soft measures.

 

[Akshat]

Army strength is very less on last 5 year work load is very heavy
Pension out 80000+ soldier every year agniveer is not combat efficient

Problem is????

And yet all terrorist related stats are at a historic low. 😂😂😂Seems Agniveers are doing a great job.

 

[kumar]

It is pretty simple really. They are using drones to monitor our activities and to locate proper ambush points and studying natural hiding points to escape after ambush.
Ceasefire with pakis was a mistake as was vacating kailash range. Whoever came up with plan of ceasefire was indeed good as pakis have resumed thier activity without any losses of thier armed forces and yet managing same level of operational effectiveness using drones and help from ch!nese. Pakis have reactivated terror launch pads probably because they feel embolded by US support. We are very good in committing harakiri because of our myopic strategies.

 

[BCharlie]

A balakot once in 10 years is not enough. Regularly bomb terrorist bases every week like Israel.

Yes Sir, you mean the way Israel got reamed by a country 1500 kms away .. them Israelis have shown they are very brave & very powerful against the rag tag run arounds in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, West Bank & Gaza.. who have no air, navy, or land war eqpt, restricted mobility, no air power, no land troops & no armored eqpt..

Its our borders which are very porous & massive leakage takes place.. We need to kick some butts of our BSF lazy behinds. Our border is fenced, mined, sensors (vib & movement), cameras, close troops, satellite monitoring etc covering every inch of the border... Somewhere there is leakage & we need to stop that leakage by taking strict action against personnel. In parallel we should go in Pakistan & remove eliminate such camps which are supporting these terrorist rogues.

 

[SuryaK]

Luckily Afghanistan n TTP etc on western side is keeping them busy else we would have even more incidents n casualties like this. Forces can’t protect its own personnel how it’ll protect commoners. Junk agniveer scheme or increase outlay on defense. GDP has risen right?

 

[Sandeep]

Luckily Afghanistan n TTP etc on western side is keeping them busy else we would have even more incidents n casualties like this. Forces can’t protect its own personnel how it’ll protect commoners. Junk agniveer scheme or increase outlay on defense. GDP has risen right?

The Agniveer scheme has got nothing to do with this issue at all because using these bullets would put any troops in danger regardless of what scheme they join.

This attack was on a air force convoy and the troops should of been wearing the thick body armour that was purchased but troops found it uncomfortable as it was thick, heavy and it made them feel more hot. Thats why recently they have developed a new lighter armour with composite plates and it can stop these rounds.

 

[Sandeep]

Its our borders which are very porous & massive leakage takes place.. We need to kick some butts of our BSF lazy behinds. Our border is fenced, mined, sensors (vib & movement), cameras, close troops, satellite monitoring etc covering every inch of the border... Somewhere there is leakage & we need to stop that leakage by taking strict action against personnel. In parallel we should go in Pakistan & remove eliminate such camps which are supporting these terrorist rogues.

Terrorist aren’t always coming from across the border. There are still a lot of home grown terrorists from Kashmir itself.

 

[Sandeep]

Indian troops can sanitise the route they will take with drones and to protect them even further then we can always install bullet proof plates on the doors and bullet proof windshield and windows. Then their hit and run tactics wouldn’t work at all.

 

[Chitra]

Just being lethargic. Still lot of sweeping to be done. Reinvent vigorously, get into the bottom and neutralize without any emotions. That's the only way to reach these terrorist rasc***ls

 

[avinash]

Steel bullets ---- chinese direct interference in j&k