Operation Mahadev: Cost of Counter-Insurgency in Kashmir
On July 28, 2025, Operation Mahadev neutralized three LeT terrorists in Srinagar, highlighting India’s ongoing counter-insurgency (CI) and counter-terrorism (CT) efforts in Jammu and Kashmir. The Rashtriya Rifles (RR), formed in 1990 to combat militancy, plays a pivotal role, with notable operations like Sarp Vinash (2003) and Sameer Tiger’s elimination (2018). Equipping an RR soldier, armed with AK-47/203, SIG Sauer 716, and night-vision gear, costs ~$2,200, with lifecycle expenses reaching $7,200 over a decade. India’s CI/CT operations, costing $1.46 billion annually, face low-budget militant tactics funded by Pakistan’s $5 million. AI innovations—drone surveillance, intelligence analysis, and cyber countermeasures—enhance efficiency, but challenges like procurement delays and ethical concerns persist. Balancing advanced equipment with development is crucial for lasting peace.
details on AI innovations
Pakistan’s role in funding










