ISI reportedly weighing Burhan Wani model for J&K recruitment

Indian intelligence agencies report that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is reassessing its strategy in Jammu and Kashmir. Following a reshuffle that has reportedly brought hardliners to key positions, the ISI may be seeking to revive a model centered on local recruitment and social media influence, similar to the approach used by the late Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

Intelligence inputs suggest the ISI aims to cultivate charismatic local figures to attract Kashmiri youth to militancy, reducing reliance on Pakistani militants. Previous attempts to use proxy outfits, such as The Resistance Front (TRF) and the People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), have been characterized by Indian officials as fronts for Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. These groups have reportedly utilized non-religious names and framed militants as “freedom fighters” to gain legitimacy.

Officials noted that the security landscape in Jammu and Kashmir has shifted following the abrogation of Article 370, citing successful dismantling of terror networks and an increase in regional tourism as factors that have altered the local situation.