Operation Sarpvinash

Operation Sarpvinash was a major counter-insurgency operation conducted by the Indian Army in early 2003 in the Poonch–Rajouri region of Jammu and Kashmir. The operation aimed to eliminate heavily armed terrorist groups entrenched in the mountainous belt along the Line of Control (LoC), particularly in the Hilkaka area. It was one of the largest coordinated anti-militancy missions carried out in the region since the insurgency began in the late 1980s, marking a significant step in India’s counter-terrorism strategy in Jammu and Kashmir.

Background and Context

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a sharp escalation in militant activity in Jammu and Kashmir, supported by infiltration from across the LoC. Following the Kargil War (1999), Pakistan-based groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen intensified their operations in the Pir Panjal range.
The Hilkaka–Surankote–Thanamandi belt, located in the rugged Pir Panjal mountains, became a crucial hub for militants due to its dense forests, high-altitude caves, and proximity to the LoC. Intelligence reports in late 2002 indicated the establishment of large militant hideouts and training facilities in this region, with an estimated 300 to 400 armed militants operating under the protection of local sympathisers.
The Indian Army, facing increasing attacks on security forces and civilians, decided to launch a comprehensive offensive to clear the area of insurgents and restore civilian control.

Launch and Execution of the Operation

Operation Sarpvinash was launched in February 2003 and continued for several months, involving a large deployment of troops from various infantry divisions under the 16 Corps (Nagrota-based) command. The codename ‘Sarpvinash’, meaning ‘Destruction of the Serpent’, symbolised the objective of eradicating entrenched terrorist networks in the region.
The operation involved coordinated efforts by multiple units, including:

• Rashtriya Rifles (RR) battalions.
• Para (Special Forces) units for mountain and cave clearance.
• Indian Air Force (IAF) support for aerial surveillance and logistics.
• Local police and intelligence agencies for ground intelligence and area domination.

Troops advanced through dense forests, often at altitudes exceeding 10,000 feet, facing harsh weather and rugged terrain. The operation relied heavily on precise intelligence inputs and was executed with a high degree of tactical coordination to prevent militant escape routes into the higher mountain zones or across the LoC.

Major Engagements and Outcomes

The most significant confrontations occurred in the Hilkaka area of Surankote, where security forces discovered a massive network of militant bunkers, arms caches, and makeshift training facilities. Over the course of several weeks, Indian forces engaged in numerous firefights resulting in the elimination of an estimated 60 to 100 militants, including several foreign mercenaries.
Recovered materials included:

• A large cache of assault rifles, rocket launchers, and explosives.
• Communication equipment indicating cross-border coordination.
• Evidence of Pakistan-based support, including ration packets and documents written in Urdu and Pashto.

The operation also led to the destruction of over 100 bunkers and hideouts, effectively dismantling the militant infrastructure that had existed in the area for years.

Strategic and Tactical Significance

Operation Sarpvinash represented a shift in counter-insurgency tactics by the Indian Army from defensive area domination to aggressive deep-penetration missions. The key achievements of the operation included:

• Clearing the Pir Panjal range of major militant concentrations for the first time in a decade.
• Restoring civilian access to previously militant-dominated areas, allowing government administration to re-establish control.
• Disrupting infiltration routes and cutting logistical links between militants in Kashmir Valley and those operating across the LoC.

The operation also demonstrated the effectiveness of multi-agency coordination, combining military intelligence, local policing, and civilian cooperation to achieve operational success.

Civilian Impact and Rehabilitation

The region of Hilkaka, which had long been deserted due to militant dominance, was brought back under government control following the operation. Villagers who had fled the area during the height of militancy were encouraged to return, supported by rehabilitation schemes and infrastructure development. Roads, schools, and communication facilities were gradually restored, reinforcing normalcy.
However, the operation did cause temporary displacement of civilians due to combat operations and security restrictions. Post-operation relief measures were undertaken to assist the affected families, with army units often directly involved in humanitarian assistance through initiatives such as Operation Sadbhavana.

Criticism and Challenges

While Operation Sarpvinash was largely viewed as a success from a security standpoint, it was not without criticism. Human rights organisations and some local groups raised concerns over alleged civilian hardships during cordon and search operations. The challenging mountainous terrain and winter conditions also led to several operational casualties among security personnel.
Another long-term challenge lay in preventing the re-infiltration of militants into the cleared zones. Despite extensive combing operations, isolated encounters continued in the following years, demonstrating the difficulty of completely eliminating cross-border insurgency in such terrain.

Legacy and Long-Term Impact

Operation Sarpvinash significantly altered the security landscape of the Pir Panjal range. The success of the mission enabled subsequent stabilisation initiatives and improved coordination between the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
In strategic terms, the operation:

• Marked a turning point in anti-militancy operations in the Rajouri–Poonch belt.
• Served as a model for integrated counter-insurgency warfare in difficult terrain.
• Weakened the operational linkages between militant groups in the Jammu sector and those in the Kashmir Valley.