Army Must Rebuild Ties with Gujjar, Bakerwal Tribes to Prevent Intelligence Gap, Say Experts
Jammu/Srinagar, Sep 21: With terror groups shifting their strategy to use higher ridges as safe havens, experts have stressed the need for security forces, particularly the Army, to rebuild trust with Gujjar and Bakerwal nomadic tribes, long considered the “eyes and ears” of the mountains.
Officials and security experts said growing mistrust between the forces and these two communities threatens intelligence gathering, which is crucial for border security. With a population of nearly 23 lakh, Gujjars and Bakerwals have historically played a vital role in aiding the Army with their knowledge of the Pir Panjal terrain and their record of loyalty.
This partnership has endured despite terrorist attacks, with stories of bravery such as Rukhsana Kausar, who killed a Lashkar-e-Taiba militant in 2009, and Rifleman Aurangzeb, awarded the Shaurya Chakra after being abducted and killed in 2018.
However, incidents like the 2018 Kathua rape case, the 2020 Amshipura fake encounter, and the 2023 Topa Pir civilian killings have strained ties, with the community demanding accountability. Officials fear this has created a dangerous intelligence gap.
Experts said systemic problems, including restrictions on traditional grazing lands, shrinking livelihoods, and poor communication infrastructure, have worsened the situation, reducing the communities’ presence in remote areas critical for intelligence.
Senior Gujjar leader and Congress AICC secretary Shahnawaz Choudhary highlighted a “trust deficit,” pointing to unresolved land rights issues and incidents like Topa Pir, which he said were exploited by Pakistan’s ISI. He warned of a “widening void” between the communities and security forces.
Retired Lt. Gen. D S Hooda, former Northern Army Commander, admitted, “Somewhere, I don’t think we’ve done justice to their role.” He recalled their contributions to the 2003 ‘Sarp Vinash’ mission in Poonch-Surankote and stressed the need to treat them as the “first line of defence.”
Former Deputy Army Chief Lt. Gen. Paramjit Singh Sangha also cautioned against alienating the communities, underlining the importance of cooperation in security operations.
Tribal researcher Javed Rahi said lapses have led to mistrust but added that a consistent policy across Army units and honouring the communities’ sacrifices could help rebuild relations. He suggested creating a museum to preserve their history and valour.
Dr Zamarrud Mughal, a Chenab valley scholar and journalist, said there was no fundamental wedge between the communities and the Army, though issues like reservation have caused resentment. He added that direct contact between the Army and the general population has sharply declined over the years.
Experts stressed that reconciliation is urgent, especially in difficult terrains like Peer Gali and Jhadanwali Gali, where the Army relies heavily on Gujjar and Bakerwal support.
