India's tightened security grid along the Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab borders has made land infiltration nearly impossible for the Pakistan-backed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, forcing the group to plot a new route into India by sea. Fresh intelligence inputs indicate that Lashkar, with help from Pakistan's spy agency ISI, is closely studying waterways that could be used to reignite terror activity in Jammu and Kashmir. Security agencies fear the underlying objective could even be a repeat of a major attack on the scale of 2008.
Land routes shut, so the group turns to water
According to sources, several infiltration attempts have been made since Operation Sindoor, but Indian security forces have foiled every single one of them. Heightened surveillance and a stronger security setup at the border have made it extremely difficult for terrorists to cross over by land. That very pressure is now pushing Lashkar toward maritime and river routes instead.
A strategy that echoes the 2008 Mumbai attack
Intelligence officials say the use of waterways is not a new tactic for Lashkar. During the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, 10 Lashkar terrorists had also entered India by sea. The difference this time is that the group's goal is not being described as limited to one large-scale strike; instead, the main objective is said to be increasing the number of active terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chenab, Tawi rivers and the Akhnoor sector in the crosshairs
Intelligence inputs point to the Chenab and Tawi rivers in the Jammu sector as being on Lashkar's radar. The Akhnoor sector in particular is being treated as highly sensitive, since its dense forests, rivers and water bodies have been exploited for infiltration attempts before. There are concerns that terrorists could plan to cross the international border under cover of fog and darkness. If they succeed in entering through this route, reactivating their old network in Jammu and Kashmir would become much easier for them.
Sir Creek and Harami Nala also seen as possible routes
Besides Jammu and Kashmir, the Sir Creek and Harami Nala areas bordering Gujarat are also being viewed as potential infiltration routes. Regular patrolling in these areas is difficult, which is why terrorists could try to exploit them. Security agencies fear that if terrorists manage to enter through Gujarat, an attempt could be made to transport them to Jammu and Kashmir by road.
A plot to build a network of 50 to 100 terrorists
Sources claim Lashkar-e-Taiba's target is to build a network of 50 to 100 active Pakistani terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. To achieve this, prospective infiltrators are reportedly being given extensive sea-based training. This training is said to be taking place in Pakistan's Mangla Dam area, the same location where terrorists involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attack were also trained.
India's counter-preparations are equally strong
Security agencies, however, are clear that carrying out this plot will not be easy for Lashkar. The Home Ministry has already stated that vigilance along international borders has been continuously ramped up using speedboats, watercraft, floating border outposts, state-of-the-art surveillance equipment and day-night vision devices. Officials believe that amid growing instability inside Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Lashkar could be looking to reactivate its network and divert international attention through a major terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir.
