Agencies Alarmed by Surge in Weaponry Retrieval Along India-Pak Border as Terror Outfits Renew Supplies

Central agencies and forces, during a high-level meeting in early January, have expressed concern over the increased retrieval of conventional and sophisticated weaponry, including grenades, ammunition, AK series arms, IEDs, detonators, and wireless devices, primarily from the India-Pakistan border areas.

Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir have seen a rise in the recovery of few types of weaponry and IEDs, including AK series weapons. The government assessed that these arms may have been supplied to terror outfits in PoK, attempting infiltration, and high-grade drones are involved in the supply chain.

A senior official noted that the renewed supply of arms, ammunition, and advanced drones to terror groups indicates the involvement of the Taliban in facilitating these weapons. It is suspected that outfits which were facing a fund crunch have renewed their supplies.

The data also hints at the same. According to BSF figures, Kashmir remains a top choice for arms and ammunition supply, with 31 weapons and 1,480 ammunition seized in 2023. The recovery of AK ammunition has increased, while that of grenades has shown an upward trend.

In a recent attack in Poonch, where four soldiers were killed, the terror outfit that took responsibility showcased the use of sophisticated US-made M4 carbine assault rifles. The M4 is a weapon developed in the United States and was among the weaponry left behind in Afghanistan by the US.

According to the data of BSF, which guards the India-Pakistan border, troops recovered AK series weapons from Gurdaspur area which were supplied from the Pakistani side via drones last year.

“In the past couple of years, we noticed a trend that terrorists would carry pistols and target civilians in hit-and-run attacks. But last year, there was a trend of terrorists targeting forces with highly sophisticated weapons supported by other gadgets. Also, there is shift in their area of operation. Terrorists are targeting forces in jungle areas now instead of the city,” a senior official posted in J&K said.

High-end HD Quality Drones Deployed

BSF as well as local police have noticed that Pakistan has shifted its strategy to send drugs, arms, and ammunition using high-end, expensive drones. These HD drones can fly at significant altitudes and carry heavy payloads with increased speed, posing a challenge to the security forces deployed at the Indo-Pak border.

According to data from the last two months, the Border Security Force has apprehended close to 20 drones. Priced between Rs 1.5 lakh and Rs 11 lakh in the market, these drones signify a change in Pakistan’s approach.