Shabir Ahmad
In Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), where Pakistan-sponsored terrorism once cast a long shadow over daily life, a specialized force emerged as the vanguard of peace and security.
The Rashtriya Rifles (RR), premier counter-insurgency units of the Indian Army, have played a pivotal role in dismantling terrorist networks, neutralizing threats, and fostering stability. Established amid escalating militancy in the early 1990s, the RR has not only “broken the backbone” of terrorism but has also helped rebuild communities torn apart by decades of violence.
The Rashtriya Rifles was formed in 1990 as a dedicated counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism arm of the Indian Army, specifically tailored to address the growing threat of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
At the time, J&K was reeling from a surge in cross-border terrorism sponsored by external actors, with groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen wreaking havoc through attacks, kidnappings, and intimidation. Regular army units, designed for conventional warfare, were stretched thin in internal security duties, prompting the need for a specialized force.
Comprising over 60 battalions drawn from various infantry regiments—such as the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles, Rajputana Rifles, and others—the RR operates under the Ministry of Defence and is structured into sector headquarters and force headquarters.
Unlike traditional units, RR battalions are manned by soldiers on deputation, allowing for a mix of experience and fresh perspectives. This unique composition has enabled the force to adapt swiftly to the asymmetric warfare tactics employed by terrorists, blending military precision with intelligence-driven operations.
From its inception, the RR’s mandate was clear: to dominate the hinterland, isolate terrorists from local populations, and restore normalcy. By relieving regular army formations from prolonged counter-insurgency roles, the RR allowed the Indian Army to focus on border defence while spearheading internal security efforts.
The RR’s impact became evident through a series of high-stakes operations that systematically eroded terrorist capabilities. One of the force’s early triumphs came in the 1990s and early 2000s, when it conducted relentless cordon-and-search missions across the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region, leading to the elimination of hundreds of terrorists and the disruption of their supply lines.
A landmark example is the RR’s role in Operation Sarp Vinash (2003), a massive anti-terror drive in the Pir Panjal range that neutralized over 60 terrorists and uncovered vast networks of hideouts and arms caches. This operation, involving multiple RR battalions, dealt a severe blow to groups operating in the hilly terrain, effectively breaking their logistical backbone.
In more recent years, the RR has continued its offensive. In May 2025, during Operation Keller in Shopian’s Shoekal Keller area, RR units, acting on precise intelligence, engaged and eliminated three terrorists in a fierce gunbattle, further weakening terror networks in South Kashmir. Similarly, joint operations with the Jammu and Kashmir Police in districts like Shopian and Doda have resulted in the neutralization of key terror commanders, including those affiliated with Pakistan-based terror outfits.
The force’s effectiveness is underscored by official records. In 2011 alone, RR battalions killed 63 terrorists and apprehended 34, significantly contributing to the decline in terrorism levels. Over the decades, the RR has neutralized hundreds of terrorists, dismantled training camps, and intercepted infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC), forcing terrorist groups to shift from large-scale attacks to sporadic hit-and-run tactics.
Heroes like Major Mukund Varadarajan of the 44th RR Battalion exemplify this valour. In 2014, he led a daring operation in Shopian, eliminating terrorists at close quarters while saving civilian lives, earning a posthumous Ashoka Chakra. Such stories of sacrifice have become the bedrock of the RR’s reputation as an unbreakable force.
While the RR’s military prowess is legendary, its role in maintaining peace extends far beyond the battlefield. Recognizing that terrorism thrives on alienation, the force has pioneered “hearts and minds” initiatives, including civic action programmes that provide medical aid, education, and infrastructure development to remote villages.
Operations like Sadbhavana (Goodwill) have seen RR units construct schools, organize sports events, and offer vocational training, helping integrate local youth into mainstream society and reduce recruitment into terror ranks.
In flood-hit areas or during harsh winters, RR soldiers have often been the first responders, delivering humanitarian relief and earning the trust of communities once vulnerable to separatist influence.
This dual approach—kinetic operations combined with non-kinetic engagement—has been instrumental in reducing violence. Terrorism-related incidents in J&K have plummeted from thousands in the 1990s to a fraction today, with the RR’s grid system ensuring comprehensive area domination.
Even in 2025, the RR remains vigilant. Recent deployments, such as the augmentation of CRPF battalions to allow RR units to refocus on LoC security, highlight ongoing strategic adjustments. Incidents like the June 2024 attacks in Reasi, Kathua, and Doda underscore persistent threats, but the RR’s swift responses have contained escalation.
High-level visits, including that of the Northern Command Army Commander to RR battalions in North Kashmir, reaffirm the unit’s critical role in the current security landscape.
The Rashtriya Rifles has not just broken the backbone of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir; it has forged a path toward enduring peace. Through unwavering courage, strategic innovation, and community outreach, the RR has transformed a conflict zone into a region aspiring for progress.
(Author can be contacted at welfare166@gmail.com)
