Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Mar 17: Indian intelligence agencies have warned of possible fresh infiltration attempts into Jammu and Kashmir amid the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan following a deadly strike on a hospital that reportedly killed around 400 people.
According to officials from the Intelligence Bureau (IB), recent intercepts suggest that militant launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have become active again. Intelligence inputs indicate that more than 500 militants are currently stationed at these launch pads, waiting for opportunities to infiltrate into Indian territory.
Security officials say most of these militants are affiliated with Pakistan-based terror groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. However, a new concern has emerged with the possible involvement of Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP), which may attempt to exploit the regional instability.
Officials believe that the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan could serve as a distraction for security forces, potentially enabling infiltration attempts along the border. Intelligence sources suggest that ISKP may try to take advantage of the situation to enter Jammu and Kashmir.
According to analysts, Pakistan’s security establishment has recently engaged ISKP in operations against insurgent groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. Officials say this dynamic could reduce resistance to ISKP attempting to expand its activities toward Jammu and Kashmir.
Previously, militant operations in the region were largely dominated by groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, with the area informally considered their sphere of influence. ISKP had earlier expressed ambitions of expanding into the region but lacked the backing of Pakistani security agencies to establish a presence.
Officials now warn that the evolving regional security landscape may have altered that equation, raising concerns about potential infiltration attempts by ISKP-linked militants.
In response, Indian security forces have heightened vigilance along the borders of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. Agencies fear that militant groups may increase infiltration attempts in the hope that security forces could be distracted by the wider geopolitical situation.
Intelligence agencies had previously warned about the possibility of battle-hardened militants attempting to enter India through routes linked to Afghanistan, exploiting weak or porous security systems in conflict zones.
India currently maintains cooperative ties with authorities in Kabul, and Afghan officials have assured New Delhi that Afghan territory will not be used as a base for anti-India activities. However, analysts say the ongoing conflict has placed Afghanistan’s security apparatus under considerable strain, creating potential vulnerabilities.
Officials also warned of a possible spillover effect, with ISKP fighters potentially moving into Pakistan during the instability and later attempting to infiltrate into India.
Earlier this month, Indian security forces foiled a major infiltration attempt in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities say infiltration attempts remain a persistent threat, with militant groups making frequent efforts to breach the border.
Despite the challenges, the Indian Army has said it remains fully prepared to counter any infiltration attempt.
Experts monitoring the situation in Afghanistan believe the conflict is unlikely to ease in the near future. Pakistan is expected to intensify military operations, while the Afghan Taliban has vowed retaliation after the hospital attack that killed hundreds of civilians. Analysts warn that further cross-border guerrilla attacks targeting Pakistani security forces could follow, potentially worsening regional instability.