Opinion | From Terror To Transformation: How 2025 Recast Jammu And Kashmir |
We had said at the end of 2024 that the coming year would be one of historic significance for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and we were proved right. Besides the Union Territory holding its first assembly elections after more than a decade, in 2025, this region saw rapid strides in socio-economic development with citizen-friendly and good governance moves.
Neutralising Terrorism
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of zero-tolerance against terrorism took a new meaning in J&K in 2025, during which the Indian Army, Ministry of Home Affairs, various paramilitary forces, J&K Police and intelligence agencies exploited their remarkable physical, mental and strategic skills to tackle this menacing phenomenon head-on.
The determined quest for analysing and enhancing India’s counter-terrorism capabilities was highlighted by the fact that between January and December 2025, the Indian Army and other security forces eliminated 46 terrorists and insurgents. There were 35 incidents of killing, the major ones being during April (9), August (5), May (4) and September (3). In 2025, 17 security personnel made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in J&K.
On April 22, terrorists massacred 26 civilians in Pahalgam’s popular tourist spot of Baisaran Valley in broad daylight after subjecting them to religious profiling. While this was a targeted attack on Hindus, the fatalities included one Christian tourist and one local Muslim pony ride operator. Exhibiting extraordinary operational skills, resilience and perseverance, the Indian army tracked down and eliminated perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre after the three-month-long operation Mahadev.
The incident shocked the world and people in India, but with PM Modi giving a free hand, the Indian Army and Air Force responded with determined élan through Operation Sindoor, damaging key defence and civilian installations and assets in Pakistan with strategic........