To counter the changed strategy of terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, the police has changed the method of anti-terror operation. Where earlier active terrorists used to live in cities, towns and villages and attack security forces. At the same time, terrorists are attacking security forces from hilly and snowy areas in Kashmir Valley and Jammu areas and causing huge losses.
In the last three years, similar attacks were reported in Kulgam, Baramulla, Shopian, Anantnag, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kistwar, Reasi and Kathua and Rajouri. Security forces have suffered huge losses due to attacks by terrorists hiding in forests and high altitude areas, but now Jammu and Kashmir Police has formed a special team of soldiers named “Snow Leopards”, who are experts in fighting at high altitude and who have been trained and selected like the elite Para Commando units of the Indian Army.
A team deployed in Gulmarg sector
The first glimpse of this unit was seen when one such team was deployed in Gulmarg sector, where Khelo Winter India Games are going on. Gulmarg is near the Line of Control and an army vehicle was attacked here in 2024. The uniform of the soldiers of this unit is different and the weapons are also modern and their training for anti-terrorist operations is also different.
Police officials say that the “Snow Leopard” unit initially included soldiers of the Special Operations Group, which is the elite anti-terror unit of Jammu and Kashmir Police, but now out of the 1.25 lakh police personnel, J&K Police personnel are being selected for this elite anti-terror force, but very strict physical and psychological standards will be maintained. Once the force reaches the prescribed number they will go wherever they are needed. Will be deployed in high altitude and forest areas.
How tough is the training?
The selection process for the “Snow Leopard” unit is similar to that of the elite PARA force or NSG units. The soldiers will have to meet strict physical requirements such as height, weight, leg and waist ratio and have a strong mental profile as they will be expected to operate alone in difficult terrain such as jungles, jungles and snowy areas in the high altitude areas of J&K.
what the officials told
A senior officer said, “The first unit has been undergoing training for a few months. They have been specially trained to operate in hilly areas and deal with terrorists hiding there.” Since 2021, militants have also taken shelter in the dense forests in some parts of Kashmir and Jammu region and after attacking security forces and civilians, they mostly hide in the dense forests. Even in the Kashmir region, militants mostly hide in dense forests because after last year’s Pahalgam attack in which 26 people were killed, the attackers remained hidden in the forests until they were eliminated by Special Forces units in anti-militancy operations.
Senior officers said that the need for a special team of policemen trained to operate in the jungle has arisen after the change in the strategy of the militants in recent years, especially with the inclination towards jungle warfare. This special unit will be deployed in different parts of the valley, wherever we get inputs about the presence of terrorists, especially in the higher areas.
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