The Border Security Force has detected the revival of nine Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror launch pads along the international border in Pakistan opposite the Jammu sector, months after they were neutralised during Operation Sindoor, officials said on Monday.
According to BSF inputs, these launch pads—used by militants as staging points before infiltration attempts—have shown renewed activity in recent weeks. In response, security has been tightened across vulnerable border villages, with enhanced surveillance and domination measures to pre-empt any cross-border incursions.
The revived sites include Chobara, Daluwali, Mastpur, Bajra Garhi, Sarjwal and Jhang Bajwat. Intelligence assessments indicate movement at these locations, which had remained dormant for nearly four to five months after Operation Sindoor. Some of the pads have reportedly re-emerged within 5 km of their original positions, tactically shifted beyond the effective range of Indian artillery.
Operation Sindoor was launched by Indian Army on 7 May as a decisive response to the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed. The operation targeted terror infrastructure and select military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), leading to a ceasefire on 10 May. During the operation, Indian artillery destroyed several enemy posts, including the Mastpur launch pad.
Officials clarified that the revived launch pads are distinct from the terror camps that were directly struck in air and artillery operations during Sindoor. BSF troops have observed JeM cadres regrouping at these sites, attempting to use them as infiltration staging areas. However, robust area domination and counter-infiltration grids on the Indian side have so far foiled their efforts.
In the past two weeks, the BSF’s Jammu frontier, in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, conducted surprise checks in over two dozen border villages. On 14–15 December, senior BSF officials reviewed the security situation, while Praveen Kumar, Director General of the BSF, personally inspected counter-infiltration arrangements in the Samba and Kathua sectors, which face key JeM concentrations across the border.
Delhi headquarters has been informed of the developments. A senior officer noted a clear trend over the last two months, stating that after a prolonged lull, JeM militants have begun reoccupying launch pads. “Their intent is to push cadres across, but sustained vigilance and patrols are ensuring failure,” the officer said.
The Mastpur sector illustrates the pattern. Though the original pad was destroyed on 7 May, suspicious activity has resurfaced nearby, likely beyond artillery range. Security forces have identified hotspots such as Ramgarh in Samba district, intensifying surveillance and ambush deployments.
Joint operations have been stepped up in Samba, Kathua and RS Pura sectors, with teams deploying explosive detectors to scan vulnerable stretches and suspected hideouts. These efforts include the involvement of the J&K Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) to strengthen detection and response capabilities.
To reinforce local resilience, village defence volunteers are being trained on an accelerated basis. Over the past week, the BSF’s Jammu sector trained more than two dozen volunteers across four villages in Paragwal, Kathua and Samba. Small batches are being imparted advanced weapons handling and precise firing skills for self-defence and emergency response.
While security forces remain the primary responders, officials said empowered local volunteers provide critical proximity support during contingencies. The revival of launch pads highlights JeM’s persistence despite Operation Sindoor’s impact, underscoring the need for continuous monitoring and a multi-layered counter-infiltration strategy to safeguard border integrity amid ongoing security challenges.
