Security officials in Jammu and Kashmir have uncovered a significant and alarming shift in the recruitment strategy of terror handlers operating in the region. According to a recent official statement, these handlers are now actively preferring to recruit individuals who have no previous links to separatist ideologies or any form of criminal past.
A New Profile of Radicalisation
This new tactic marks a deliberate move away from traditional recruitment pools. An official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the individuals now being targeted are often radicalised youths who come from families with absolutely no history of affiliation with any separatist movement or terror outfit. This clean background makes it considerably more difficult for security agencies to identify and track potential threats before they are fully indoctrinated and mobilized.
The official emphasized that even the family members of these radicalised youths have no past affiliation with any known separatist or terrorist groups. This development points towards a more sophisticated and insidious method of radicalisation, one that preys on impressionable individuals without raising immediate red flags based on their family's political or criminal history.
Implications for Security Operations
This strategic pivot by terror handlers presents a formidable challenge to the intelligence and security apparatus in Jammu and Kashmir. The absence of a discernible background in separatism or crime creates a 'clean chit' profile, allowing these new recruits to operate under the radar for longer periods. It complicates predictive policing and intelligence-led operations that often rely on monitoring individuals and families with known sympathies or past involvements.
The revelation, reported by PTI on November 16, 2025, underscores the evolving nature of the security threat in the union territory. Security forces are now compelled to adapt their counter-insurgency and de-radicalisation strategies to counter this new wave of recruitment that targets individuals from seemingly ordinary and unconnected backgrounds.
This trend suggests that the methods of radicalisation are becoming more deeply embedded within the social fabric, exploiting new vulnerabilities and making the task of maintaining peace and security even more complex.
