Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Pakistan-based terror groups exploit Jammu and Kashmir local grievances
Security officials say some Pakistan-based terror groups are looking for new ways to cause trouble in Jammu and Kashmir.
Their earlier campaign about Article 370 has reportedly become less effective.
Officials say the groups are now focusing on local disagreements.
One disagreement involves Scheduled Tribe status for the Pahari community.
Some Gujjar and Bakerwal communities reportedly feel unhappy about that decision.
The groups are allegedly using private messages and social media to contact people.
They are also spreading tension about migrant workers and differences between Jammu and the Kashmir Valley.
Officials worry that these efforts could encourage protests or violence, although the ST-status issue has not caused large-scale violence so far.
Security agencies say Pakistan-based outfits are shifting from Article 370 messaging to local grievances.
LeT handlers are allegedly exploiting opposition and resentment over Pahari community ST status.
Officials say private chats and social media are being used to contact potential recruits.
Terror groups are also amplifying migrant-worker tensions and alleged Jammu-Kashmir regional divisions.
Authorities warn wider traction for these grievances could create fresh law-and-order challenges.
- Who
- Pakistan-based terror outfits, including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed proxies, are identified by officials as exploiting local issues.
- What
- The groups are allegedly using socio-political grievances to create unrest, recruit cadres, and encourage violence.
- When
- The reported shift followed the loss of momentum of the Article 370 campaign after 2019; the assessment is recent.
- Where
- Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the Pir Panjal region and the Kashmir Valley.
- Why
- Officials say the groups aim to deepen social divisions, attract young people, and create law-and-order problems.
Security agencies’ assessment
Local grievance perspective
Pahari ST status
Security agencies’ assessment
Officials say Pakistan-based handlers are exploiting the issue to polarise society, recruit cadres, and encourage violence.
Local grievance perspective
The reported resentment reflects concerns among Gujjar and Bakerwal communities, which have held ST status since 1991; protests and street agitations have occurred.
Regional tensions
Security agencies’ assessment
Officials say terror handlers are exaggerating existing concerns into narratives that Jammu is preferred over the Kashmir Valley.
Local grievance perspective
The article acknowledges that there are some regional differences and perceptions that Jammu receives greater preference, although officials say these are being amplified.
Migrant workers
Security agencies’ assessment
Officials say terror groups are escalating friction over migrant workers and have circulated hit lists through proxies.
Local grievance perspective
Some locals reportedly accuse migrant workers of taking away employment opportunities, creating an underlying social and economic grievance.
- Main shift
- Groups are reportedly moving from Article 370 messaging toward local grievances.
- Key issue
- The granting of Scheduled Tribe status to the linguistic Pahari community.
- Affected communities
- Gujjar and Bakerwal nomadic communities have held ST status since 1991.
- Reported methods
- Private chats, social media outreach, false narratives, and alleged advocacy of violence.
- Other exploited issue
- Tensions involving migrant workers and claims of competition for employment.
- Named groups
- Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed proxies.
- Current situation
- Officials report protests and street agitation over the ST issue, but no large-scale communal or physical violence.