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SRINAGAR: Terrorists infiltrating Jammu and Kashmir have reportedly been equipped with advanced communication tools by the Pakistan Army, including the modified Alpine Quest App in its offline version, to evade detection.
This app, originally designed as a navigation tool for trekkers, has been altered to include critical data about security forces, checkpoints, and patrolling routes, allowing terrorists to operate without reliance on Over Ground Workers (OGWs).
According to officials, the diminishing support from OGWs, largely due to stringent measures by the police-including property attachments and cases filed under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)-has pushed terrorists to adopt more covert methods.
The Alpine Quest App allows them to navigate the rugged, mountainous terrain of Jammu and Kashmir, primarily in remote and high-altitude areas where OGWs are less trusted and less accessible.
This marks the first time the use of such an app has been noted in Jammu and Kashmir’s insurgency operations. With the growing crackdown on OGWs, terrorists have become more self-reliant, relying on the app for navigation while avoiding OGWs whenever possible. In some instances, the terrorists have opted to use OGWs solely for logistical support, such as delivering food, while maintaining a distance to ensure their exact locations remain undetected.
The terrorists are also using encrypted ultra-radio communication devices with servers based in Pakistan. These devices are designed to ensure secure communication, making it harder for security forces to intercept or decode their messages in real time. The use of such technology further complicates efforts to track and neutralize terror networks operating in the region.
Last year, terrorists were observed operating across several districts in Jammu, including Kathua, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Doda, Reasi, Poonch, and Rajouri, as well as parts of the Kashmir Valley. Their activities have included attacks on security forces, Village Defence Guards (VDGs), and pilgrims traveling to the Shiv Khori shrine.(Agencies)
