Operation Chakravyuh: How Army will use Israeli 3-layer security net to target Pakistan-backed terror in Kashmir

In a bid to thwart infiltration by foreign mercenaries and stop drug smuggling, the Indian Army is planning to deploy state-of-the art surveillance equipment along the borders with Pakistan.

Codenamed Operation Chakravyuh, Army's impenetrable three-tier security layer will help troops neutralise or arrest Pakistan-backed terrorists on the border.

In the aftermath of the Pathankot airbase attack, a dozen laser walls were made operational along the India-Pakistan International Border in Punjab to plug the porous terrain.

Operation Chakravyuh, which draws inspiration from the impenetrable military formation from the Mahabharata, is actually modelled after an Israeli security mechanism to plug any possible routes for terrorists to infiltrate the country.

THE FIRST LAYER

The first layer of security will be right on the Line of Control (LoC).

It will be is a network of highly-sensitive sensors, radars, cameras, optical fibre and automated guns linked to a 24x7 monitoring room.

Apart from these, airborne micro-aerostat balloons, fitted with high-quality surveillance cameras will monitor the skies along the border.

All surveillance systems will be integrated for coordinated and quick response.

The government is hoping to nab terrorists right on the LoC. In the last 3 months, there have been 30 successful infiltration attempts. Currently, there are 400 to 600 terrorists in the training camps and 300 in the launch pads. As this is the first line of contact, the Army has deployed sensors right on the LoC to alert them about infiltration bids. But this is not always successful, especially due to dense forests in South Kashmir.

THE SECOND LAYER

This is why a second layer becomes necessary. This involves tracking terrorists using UAVs in the air. On the ground, troops use hand held thermal imagers (HHTI) to monitor activity. In the last six months, as many as 50 terrorists have been eliminated by the Army right on the LoC.

This second layer of security is just behind the LoC. It involves use of the Army and paramilitary soldiers. This layer targets the reception area for terrorists, where he comes in contact with his local handler. The terrorist gets his plan of action, money, instructions and other help in this heavily forested area. The forces plan to increase telephone monitoring of suspected handlers even as deployment in the area is on the increase. In the last six months, about 35 terrorists have been eliminated in this zone.

The areas of special importance for the security forces in the middle zone are: Lolab Valley, Rajwar forest (Hafruda), Bandipora, Kazikund (Handwara), Rafiabad and Naugam.

THE THIRD LAYER

The third security layer will be activated in the Valley. Here, the army is increasing local information sharing with the police and the paramilitary forces. They face terrorists who are heavily armed and have ample funds. Some 20 terrorists have been killed in the last six months in this area. The most sensitive areas in the third layer are: Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, Lolab, Keran and Tangdhar sector.

Intelligence inputs say that terror czars Hafeez Saeed, Syed Salahuddin and Maulana Masood Azhar have asked their men to target security forces. The report says 10 LeT terrorists are trying to enter Tangdhar and Keran sector in Kashmir while five to six terrorists were spotted in black Pathan costumes trying to enter from the Uri nala in Uri sector.

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