Indian Army in Kashmir: From Counterterrorism to Community Engagement

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On 28 July 2025, during ‘Operation Mahdev’, the Indian army—in cooperation with the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police and other security agencies—killed three Pakistani terrorists linked to the Pahalgam attack in the Lidwas forests of Harwan, Srinagar. Two days earlier, on 26 July 2025, the Indian army, in collaboration with the Union Territory (UT) administration, organised the North Kashmir Education Fest 2025 under the theme ‘Taleem Se Tarakki’ (Education for Progress), offering counselling, guidance, and career pathways to over 3,000 students from renowned colleges and universities nationwide. The participating institutions collectively announced scholarships worth INR 30 million for underprivileged and tribal students from border districts during this fest.

The Taleem Se Tarakki fest strengthened the efforts of the armed forces, such as the ‘Know Your Army’ campaign, to promote military careers and instil discipline, patriotism, and nationalism among the local youth. On 31 July 2025, the Indian army launched a cricket league in partnership with civil society organisations and traders in Pulwama, which featured 64 teams competing from across various districts of the UT.

The violence instigated by Pakistan-backed terrorism has severely affected lives and stalled socio-economic and skill development.

The primary aim of these initiatives is to nurture local talent, offer training and guidance, strengthen the relationship between the army and the community, and, crucially, curb disruptive activities and drug abuse. The violence instigated by Pakistan-backed terrorism has severely affected lives and stalled socio-economic and skill development. However, with a renewed and comprehensive approach to improving Kashmir’s socio-economic landscape, these initiatives are now receiving more active community support, fostering a growing trust between the army and locals.

Counterterrorism With Community Outreach

Shortly after the 1989 insurgency, terrorists systematically set fire to schools to prevent education, intimidate the local population, and cause long-term damage to the region’s socio-economic development. During the early 1990s, roughly 4,000 to 5,000 schools were destroyed or burnt down by insurgents, making it impossible for students to attend school. In 1998, the Indian army initiated  Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill) to promote education and holistic regional development, with a modest budget of INR 40 million. This timely initiative supported the state administration’s efforts to restore public services and build social infrastructure, with around INR 5.5 billion spent solely on people-centred development since 1998. These initiatives not only restored public services and improved the operations of approximately 1,900 State Government schools but also set up 46 modern Army Goodwill Schools to serve the educational needs of the local community.  With more than 14,000 students enrolled, these schools continue to provide opportunities for marginalised communities and individuals affected by terrorist groups, and also help students gain admission to many institutes outside the state.

Most importantly, Operation Sadbhavana prioritised women’s empowerment through skill development programmes at various Vocational Training Centres (VTC) across the erstwhile state. Women and girls received training in essential computer skills to become technologically self-reliant. Additionally, the army organised tours for these girls across various parts of India to help them develop new skills and explore opportunities. Currently, the UT has over 80 such centres for women empowerment, skill development and guidance. The army has also launched the ‘Super 50’ coaching programme for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), preparing for undergraduate dental and medical courses, as well as coaching classes for other competitive exams, including the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the civil services. The army also initiated ‘Kashmir Super 30’ in partnership with the Centre for Social Responsibility and Leadership (CSRL) and Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) to support underprivileged and vulnerable Kashmiri communities through coaching for engineering entrance exams. Of the 40 students enrolled, 26 boys and two girls passed the national-level Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) for undergraduate engineering courses, with nine students getting enrolled in top-ranked Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). The army also established a radio station, which serves as a platform for government outreach, promoting local talent, and fostering social cohesion, alongside entertainment.

Operation Sadbhavana prioritised women’s empowerment through skill development programmes at various Vocational Training Centres (VTC) across the erstwhile state.

The UT administration-army collaboration has further strengthened since 2019, specifically for various community welfare initiatives in remote areas. The aim is to enhance social infrastructure, concretise trust, and promote peace, stability, and sustainable growth, spurred with greater vigour and local community support. On 12 July 2025, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha participated in the validation event for a Vocational Training and Life Enhancement Skills course for women in South Kashmir. He praised the initiatives, stating that women-led development will pave the way for peace and prosperity in the UT by helping overcome challenges such as terrorism, drug addiction, and other social evils.

Social impact and Changing perception

Operation Sadbhavana has been essential for the socio-economic transformation of Jammu and Kashmir. It has also improved the public’s perception of the army. Furthermore, it has mitigated the sense of alienation and promoted a feeling of belonging within the broader context of national integration. In addition to Operation Sadbhavana, ongoing outreach activities, including programmes and seminars focused on drug de-addiction and deradicalisation, have fostered greater collaboration between local communities and the Indian army.

Operation Sadbhavana has been essential for the socio-economic transformation of Jammu and Kashmir. It has also improved the public’s perception of the army.

Over the past 27 years, Operation Sadbhavana has had a significant impact on shaping young minds through its goodwill schools, leaving a lasting impression on Kashmiri societal perceptions. The results speak for themselves. In 2019, 25,000 local youth applied for 111 army vacancies. Similarly, over 20,000 youth showed up for 306 positions in the 2024 territorial army recruitment. While unemployment continues to be a challenge, Operation Sadbhavana has successfully instilled in the new generation of Kashmiris a deep sense of patriotism and nationalism.

Way Forward

Operation Sadbhavana has enhanced broader community engagement and fortified civil-military partnerships. Army officials act as role models for youth, as demonstrated through cricket leagues organised by the army and sponsored by trade organisations, local businesses, and shopkeepers. By fostering local talent, igniting ambitions, and cultivating trust, the army’s outreach and development efforts have paved the way for the UT to enter an era of peace, prosperity, and national unity.  To fully address deviant behaviour and expand employment opportunities, the UT administration and armed forces must collaborate strategically to align more such social welfare and skilling programmes, especially under national schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, and the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyaan under Operation Sadbhavana. Additionally, stronger government-private sector linkages are essential for providing better economic opportunities for Kashmiri youth. Operation Sadbhavna and other proactive community outreach initiatives by the armed forces have showcased how winning the trust of the locals is as crucial to bringing about transformative changes in the UT as taking a hard stance through counterterrorism measures.

Ayjaz Wani (PhD) is a Fellow with the Strategic Studies Programme, Observer Research Foundation.

Ira Kulkarni is a Research Intern at the Observer Research Foundation.

• Terrorism
• Internal Security
• India
• counterterrorism strategy of china
• India China SCO Tensions
• Islamic State Khorasan Province
• Pahalgam attack SCO declaration
• SCO counterterrorism
• State sponsored terrorism SCO

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