Pak, US hold anti-terror drills while 122 Pakistani terrorists still active in J&K

Pakistan has begun a two-week joint counter-terrorism exercise with the United States even as Indian security agencies assess that 131 terrorists are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir, including 122 Pakistani terrorists and nine local terrorists, top sources told India Today.

Defence sources said that around 35 Pakistani terrorists are active in the Jammu region alone, underlining sustained efforts to revive terror south of the Pir Panjal even as Pakistan projects itself internationally as a counter-terror partner.

The joint drill, titled “Inspired Gambit 2026”, is being held at Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Centre in Punjab province. The exercise focuses on urban counter-terror operations and interoperability between Pakistani and US troops.

The US-Pakistan counter-terrorism exercise is taking place even as Indian forces continue intensified counter-infiltration and anti-terror operations along the Line of Control and the Border. Security agencies have also stepped up action against drone-based arms and explosives drops from across the border.

Security officials pointed to a clear contradiction between Pakistan’s external messaging and the ground reality, noting that terror groups targeting India continue to operate with support from Pakistan-controlled areas even as joint drills are held with global partners.

The development comes amid Pakistan’s renewed diplomatic outreach to Washington following Operation Sindoor, India’s precision action against terror infrastructure in May last year.

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