Recently, MHA has declared ‘Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu Kashmir (JeI)’ as an ‘Unlawful Association’ under Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Role played by OGWs
Intelligence Gathering – provide real-time information on troop movement, patrol timings and security vulnerabilities.
Logistical Support – arrange shelter, vehicles, food, medical aid and safe houses for militants to evade detection.
Radicalisation and Recruitment through religious networks, student groups and social media.
Terror Financing – raise funds locally, manage extortion, run front organisations and facilitate hawala transfers.
Facilitating Arms Movement – OGWs act as couriers, store arms, and help smuggle weapons across borders or LoC. Eg- collecting drone-dropped arms.
Information Warfare – They generate pro-terror content, circulate videos and organise protests to delegitimise the state.
Maintaining Militant-Local Community Linkages- create public sympathy for militants, and organise funerals or protests to build support. Eg- funeral of Burhan Wani
Measures to Neutralise the Influence of OGWs
Intelligence and Policing Measures
Integrated Intelligence Grid (IIG) – Real-time coordination between police, IB, NIA and security forces to identify OGW networks.
Use of Technology for Profiling – AI-based monitoring of suspicious financial transactions, travel patterns and digital communication.
Strengthening Local Police and Community Intelligence – Eg- Village Defence Groups in Rajouri-Poonch.
Tightening Border Surveillance – Use of drones, sensors, and night-vision to check infiltration and OGW courier routes.
Legal and Institutional Measures
Action through UAPA & NIA Act – Freezing bank accounts and shutting down front organisations.
Regulating NGOs, Religious Networks – Eg- FCRA audits of charity organisations
Community and Preventive Measures
De-radicalisation and Counselling of youth
Heart and mind strategy – Eg- Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill) of Indian Army
Employment and Skill Development to mainstream youth. Eg- Udaan Scheme
OGWs are the backbone of insurgency. A multi-layered approach is needed to break the support ecosystem of terrorism.