VINOD BHAT
NEW DELHI, Jan 13: The security situation along India’s western front and in Jammu and Kashmir remains sensitive but is firmly under control, with terrorism witnessing a sharp decline and local recruitment almost coming to a halt, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, the Army Chief said that since May 10 this year, the overall security environment in Jammu and Kashmir has been effectively managed due to strong coordination among the armed forces, intelligence agencies and civil administration. He underlined that sustained vigilance and a unified security approach have significantly weakened the terror ecosystem in the region.
Providing detailed figures, General Dwivedi said that 31 terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir in 2025, and nearly 65 per cent of them were of Pakistani origin, indicating the continued role of cross-border infiltration in fueling terrorism. He also confirmed that the three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were successfully neutralised in a targeted counter-terror operation, codenamed Operation Mahadev.
Highlighting the collapse of local militant networks, the Army Chief said the number of active local terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir has now dropped to single digits. More significantly, terror recruitment has become “almost non-existent,” with only two new cases reported in the entire year so far.
“These are very clear indicators of a positive and irreversible change taking place in Jammu and Kashmir,” General Dwivedi said, adding that the improving security situation has created a conducive environment for development, economic activity and public life to return to normal.
He pointed out that this change is visible on the ground through the revival of tourism, smooth functioning of daily life and the peaceful conduct of major religious events. Referring to the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra, he said the pilgrimage witnessed participation of over four lakh devotees this year, which is higher than the five-year average. “This shows that people from across the country have renewed confidence in the security situation of the region. The transition from terrorism to tourism is gradually becoming a reality,” he said.
The Army Chief also spoke about ongoing military operations and preparedness. He cited Operation Sindoor as a strong example of effective coordination between the three services — the Army, Navy and Air Force — under clear political guidance. “Operation Sindoor demonstrated what tri-service synergy can achieve when there is a clear political directive and full freedom to act and respond,” he said.
He added that the operation is still ongoing and warned that any future attempt to disturb peace will be dealt with firmly. “Any future misadventure will be met with a resolute and appropriate response,” he asserted.
General Dwivedi also acknowledged the collective efforts of various institutions in stabilising Jammu and Kashmir. He said close cooperation between the armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces, intelligence agencies, the state administration and civic bodies has played a crucial role in maintaining peace.
“I must acknowledge the proactive and coordinated role of all stakeholders at the national level, including CAPFs, intelligence agencies, civic bodies, the state administration and ministries such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and Railways,” he said, adding that this multi-layered coordination will continue to be the backbone of the security framework in the region.
The Army Chief concluded by saying that sustained vigilance, strong inter-agency coordination and public support would remain vital to ensuring lasting peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.
