Context:

• In June 2025, Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reaffirmed the government's focus on eliminating terrorism from the region.
• Addressing police cadets at Sher-e-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur, he urged the J&K Police to combine modern technology, intelligence, community engagement, and inter-agency coordination with traditional beat policing methods.
• Against this backdrop, the present article highlights J&K’s evolving security strategy and counter-terrorism efforts.

The Central Role of Local Police in J&K’s Counter-Terror Efforts

• Lieutenant Governor of J&K rightly stressed the importance of the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JAKP) in fighting terrorism.
• This highlights a well-established fact: local police are the backbone of counter-terror operations, while central forces can only play a supporting role.
• The JAKP’s strength lies in its deep familiarity with the region’s terrain, demography, and strong community ties, which enable better human intelligence (HUMINT).
• The April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror strike, where attackers remain at large, underscores gaps in such local intelligence.
• Addressing these gaps is essential to prevent future attacks. For this, continuous functional improvement of the JAKP is necessary, including ensuring its command is accountable to an elected government.
• Local representatives—sarpanches and MLAs—are trusted by the community and often possess vital information about terrorist activities, making their involvement in the security framework crucial for long-term peace and stability in the region.

Restoring Democratic Structures for Stronger Security in J&K

• Jammu and Kashmir has a strong tradition of democratic participation, especially in local body elections.
• However, due to prolonged security challenges, elected local representatives have rarely been given real authority as outlined in constitutional provisions.
• To strengthen counter-terrorism efforts, it is essential to restore and activate all levels of democratic governance—from panchayats and municipal bodies to MLAs and Members of Parliament—making them accountable for security alongside the police.
• Without this, there is a risk of growing indifference among both leaders and the public, weakening local support against terrorism.
• Policymakers must promote structured dialogue between police forces and local leaders to share information, address community concerns, and enhance public safety.
• Given the region’s varied challenges—such as the mix of local and foreign terrorist elements—solutions must be tailored locally rather than applying a uniform strategy.
• The JAKP, with its grassroots presence through local police stations, plays a crucial role in connecting governance with security, and this partnership needs to be reinforced for more effective outcomes.

Empowering Elected Leaders for Inclusive Security in J&K

• Keeping elected representatives outside Jammu and Kashmir’s security framework weakens both governance and counter-terrorism efforts.
• Restoring the JAKP under the control of an elected government would enhance accountability and ensure policing strategies reflect community needs and concerns.
• Elected officials serve as a crucial link between the police and the public, helping build trust and cooperation essential for effective law enforcement.
• While holding Assembly and parliamentary elections acknowledges people’s democratic rights, true participatory governance requires involving these leaders in security matters, moving beyond a top-down, elitist approach.
• Without this inclusion, Lieutenant Governor’s vision of meaningful community engagement will remain incomplete.
• Strengthening local democratic involvement is key to improving both governance and the region’s overall security situation.