- By Ajeet Kumar
- Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:30 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- ISI using political parties as terror cover in J&K.
- OGWs infiltrating political outfits for recruitment, funding.
- Strategy aims to evade scrutiny, facilitate terror logistics.
Pakistan’s spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is allegedly attempting to use mainstream politics as a cover for terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, according to intelligence inputs and police investigations. Security agencies claim the ISI has directed overground workers (OGWs) to infiltrate national political parties to conceal terror recruitment, fundraising and movement of weapons, NDTV reported.
According to the report, investigators say the strategy aims to provide operatives a layer of legitimacy, helping them evade counter-terror scrutiny while maintaining logistical support for militant networks under the guise of political activity.
How Indian Police uncover Pakistan's new plan
The reported plan came to light during the interrogation of several OGWs recently detained by the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Officials reportedly recovered membership cards of national political parties from some of the suspects.
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Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police, S P Vaid, warned that political affiliations could be exploited as a shield during security checks. He claimed there have been instances in the past where OGWs used party links to move weapons or avoid suspicion.
Not the first time
Security experts point out that such tactics are not entirely new. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, several cases emerged where suspected OGWs allegedly used political identities to mislead security agencies.
One such case surfaced in July 2022 when Talib Hussain, an alleged Lashkar-e-Taiba operative wanted in terror-related cases, was apprehended in Reasi. Reports said he had links with a political outfit and allegedly used those associations to gain access to different locations before his arrest. Arms and ammunition were reportedly recovered during the operation.
Officials say terror outfits facing leadership losses in Kashmir may now be shifting tactics, relying more on sleeper networks and OGWs after intensified counter-terror operations weakened their command structure. Central agencies are currently monitoring suspected OGW networks to prevent terror logistics and online radicalisation from regaining momentum.