New Delhi: Major General Muhammad Shamraiz Khan, appointed chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) about a month ago, is working to overhaul the infiltration strategy against Jammu and Kashmir by strengthening Border Action Teams (BATs), an Intelligence Bureau official told IANS.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

"Khan has taken a different approach and has not indulged in any sort of misadventure as yet. He is working towards strengthening the Border Action Teams to aid terrorists in their infiltration bids," the official said. The ISI under Khan is coordinating with the Pakistan Army to set up more such teams, comprising both Pakistan Army commandos and terrorists, IANS reported.

Smaller teams, simultaneous ambushes

Pakistan normally deploys 7 to 10 members in each BAT, but the new teams would have a maximum of 4 to 5 members — ideally two Pakistan Army commandos and two terrorists — so that many more teams can operate at once and stretch Indian security forces, officials said. The intention, an official said, is that at any given time at least four to five ambushes could take place simultaneously along the Line of Control (LoC).

Source: Nation Press

500+terrorists said to be waiting at PoK launchpads
4-5members in each new BAT (down from 7-10)
4-5simultaneous ambushes aimed for along the LoC

Another official said infiltrations are not taking place currently and that over 500 terrorists are waiting at launchpads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, for whom strong BAT support is considered necessary. The terrorists embedded in the new teams would not themselves enter the Valley, officials said; they would help other operatives enter and position themselves for a long stay.

Khan, an officer of the 40 Field Regiment, earlier headed the Sindh Rangers and, after promotion to Major General in 2023, commanded the 17th Infantry Division at Kharian — a formation that has handled BAT forces, IANS reported. Officials said he has in the last month held meetings with Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and the top leadership of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen. Awaaz Punjab is reporting these as Indian intelligence officials' assessments, as stated by IANS; Pakistan has not commented in the reports cited.