Resurgence of Cross-Border Infiltration and Countermeasures

MILITANT STRATEGIES ARE EVOLVING WITH A BLEND OF TECH-ENABLED TACTICS, SUCH AS DRONES AND ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATIONS, AND HYBRID MODELS THAT BLUR THE LINES BETWEEN ARMED GROUPS, SLEEPER CELLS, AND CRIMINAL NETWORKS.

- SYED JAHANZEEB

After a brief lull following "Operation Sindoor," 2025 has witnessed a sharp resurgence of cross-border infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) in Jammu & Kashmir.

The volatile securit-dynamic is being shaped by multiple shifts: evolving tactics, drone warfare, strategic planting of sleeper cells, and a blend of kinetic and non-kinetic measures. In mid-May, Indian sources confirmed that 45-50 militants successfully crossed into Indian territory via sectors such as Uri, Kupwara, Samba, Heeranagar, and Sunderbani. These incursions were not the isolated skirmishes of earlier years; rather, they reflected a coordinated push, shielded by cover-fire tactics and artillery barrages from across the border.

On the night of May 8-9, a major infiltration attempt in the Samba sector triggered a multi-pronged response. The Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted and eliminated seven militants, even as Pakistani aerial drones-more than 180 sightings-buzzed the Punjab and Jammu sectors. Notably, the Indian Army also neutralized over 50 Pakistani swarm-drones during coordinated counter-UAS operations on the LoC and IB. The uptick in militant movement appears to be a reaction to India's January-May initiative, “Operation Sindoor”—a precise targeting campaign against terror launchpads in Pakistan and POK. With Pakistan resuming ceasefire violations and drone intrusions, infiltrators have seized the temporary operational gap to attempt renewals of their foothold.