Sustained military pressure has forced more than 150 terrorists, including commanders, fighters and affiliates, to surrender in the North-East within one week, the military has disclosed.
The figure represents a significant increase from the more than 50 terrorists who surrendered in the previous week, highlighting the growing pressure being exerted on terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, attributing the surge in surrender cases to sustained intelligence-led operations, intensified military pressure and coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic measures.
According to Goni, the operations were increasingly restricting the terrorists’ freedom of movement, disrupting their logistics and supply chains, and weakening their ability to retain fighters within their enclaves.
He said the latest development reflected the cumulative impact of the military’s counter-insurgency efforts, which combine offensive operations with strategic communication, civil-military engagement and other measures aimed at encouraging members of terrorist groups to voluntarily disengage.
“The significant increase reflects the cumulative impact of sustained intelligence-led operations, intensified military pressure and coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic efforts aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and encouraging voluntary disengagement from terrorism,” Goni said.
He added that the recovery of weapons and ammunition from some of the surrendering terrorists further demonstrated the effectiveness of sustained pressure on terrorist networks.
Goni said the increase in surrenders also underscored the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai’s counter-insurgency strategy, particularly its combination of intelligence-driven military operations and non-kinetic interventions.
He explained that the measures were disrupting terrorist activities and support networks, weakening hostile narratives and encouraging more members of the groups to abandon terrorism.
According to him, strategic communication remained a key component of the military’s efforts, as it enables the armed forces to communicate credible messages to individuals willing to renounce terrorism while highlighting the consequences of continued association with terrorist organisations.
Goni said all persons who surrendered had been profiled, documented and handled in accordance with established procedures and applicable laws.
He said the theatre command would sustain the current momentum to encourage further surrender and disengagement while weakening terrorist recruitment, logistics and sustainment mechanisms.
The Military High Command also commended troops for their resilience, discipline and operational effectiveness, urging them to maintain pressure on terrorist elements and deny them freedom of action across the theatre.
“Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mission to sustain pressure on terrorist networks, disrupt their capabilities and support structures, protect civilians and create the conditions necessary for the restoration of lasting peace, security and normalcy across the North-East region,” he said.
