The New Face of Hybrid War

17/07/2025

In the ever-evolving theatre of conflict in Jammu and Kashmir, drones have emerged as the newest weapon in the hands of terror groups, acting as the modern-day equivalent of Over Ground Workers (OGWs). These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), deployed with chilling precision, are rewriting the rules of asymmetric warfare, signaling a strategic shift away from human enablers toward silent, mechanical infiltrators-steered from across the border.For decades, OGWs played a crucial role in sustaining terrorism in the Valley-providing logistical support, gathering intelligence, and sheltering militants. However, as security agencies have tightened their grip and dismantled much of this human network through arrests and persistent pressure, a vacuum has emerged. That vacuum, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) appears eager to fill-with drones.
The Pakistani deep state's increasing reliance on UAVs marks a dangerous and technologically advanced phase in its proxy war. Drones are now being used not only for surveillance but for ferrying arms, ammunition, and even ration to militants holed up in remote, mountainous areas. Intelligence reports suggest that these flying machines have become lifelines for terrorists entrenched in higher reaches of Kashmir, Kishtwar, and Rajouri-helping them evade security forces, maintain situational awareness, and prolong their resistance. This development also helps explain the limited success in certain counter-terror operations in recent months. While soldiers brave harsh terrain and treacherous weather, drones grant militants a tactical edge-an aerial view of troop movements and advance patterns. The implications are stark. The battlefield is no longer limited to boots on the ground; it has expanded into the skies, blurring the lines between conventional and unconventional warfare.
The June 27, 2021 drone attack on the Jammu Air Force Station served as a watershed moment. For the first time, terror outfits used UAVs to target vital security infrastructure in India, triggering alarm bells at the highest levels. Since then, the use of drones has only intensified-initially seen in drug and arms drops across the Punjab border, it has now evolved into a full-fledged component of terror logistics in Jammu and Kashmir. This rising threat demands a multipronged response. First, there must be a significant scaling up of anti-drone technology-including radar integration, jamming systems, and artificial intelligence-based tracking. Border areas, military camps, and critical installations must be hardened against aerial threats. Second, inter-agency coordination must be enhanced across military, paramilitary, and intelligence outfits to ensure real-time drone movement is intercepted and neutralized. Lastly, the policy framework must be updated-treating hostile drones as acts of war, not merely technical breaches.
As Pakistan continues to weaponize technology to circumvent India's counter-terror gains, it becomes evident that the battlefield of tomorrow is already here. The traditional OGW is being replaced by a buzzing machine in the sky-unseen, unheard, yet devastatingly effective. The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have long shown resilience and adaptability. But now, they must prepare for a future where drones are not just tools-they are the new face of terror. India must meet this airborne challenge with innovation, resolve, and a clear message: no matter the form terror takes, it will be hunted, disrupted, and destroyed.

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