Pakistani Intelligence Operatives Target Students in Jammu and Kashmir; Army Schools take Precautions.

In a concerning development, Army schools in Jammu and Kashmir are facing a new threat as Pakistani intelligence operatives are reaching out to students and attempting to gather personal information. Senior Army officers have confirmed that the Army Welfare Education Society is working closely with school authorities to address the issue.

The intelligence operatives pose as "schoolteachers" and engage students in conversations, extracting sensitive information about their families and teachers. Some students have also been misled into joining WhatsApp groups under the guise of being for school-related purposes.

An advisory from the Army Welfare Education Society highlights the seriousness of the situation, urging schools to spread awareness among students and delete any compromised WhatsApp groups. The advisory reveals that the callers initially reference someone known to the students and then request them to share an OTP (One-Time Password) to join other groups.

The data being sought from students includes details about their fathers' professions, school routines and timings, and information about their uniforms and teachers' names.

The security establishment in Jammu and Kashmir is taken aback by this alarming tactic, which comes at a time when militants are attempting to lure local youth into joining terrorist ranks through desperate WhatsApp calls and messages.

To combat these security threats, schools and colleges are being asked to sensitize both teachers and students about the risks involved. They are also advised to dissolve existing WhatsApp groups if necessary and create new ones to mitigate any potential risks.

In May of this year, Army public schools in Jammu were temporarily shut as a precautionary measure due to reports of possible militant attacks ahead of the G20 meeting in Srinagar. Fortunately, the G20 meeting proceeded smoothly without any incidents.

However, in recent weeks, there has been an increase in infiltration attempts from across the Line of Control. In response, joint operations between the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have resulted in the elimination of heavily armed foreign militants attempting to cross over.

While authorities continue to remain vigilant, the situation emphasizes the need for heightened security measures in educational institutions to safeguard students from potential threats.