
‘Ties With Terrorists, India As Target': The Notorious Pak Army Brigades Along LoC
Last Updated:
"These Pak Army brigades are notorious for collaborating with LeT and JeM. They are also known for mutilations, beheadings, and drone-enabled weapon drops,' say intel sources
Pakistan deploys several brigades along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir that work not just for their Army, but also terrorist groups such as the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), according to intelligence sources.
The ties between India and Pakistan are strained in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam attack. While the 111th infantry brigade is a specialist in coup, 212th is an expert in proxy warfare. 'The 111th's SSG units and the 212th's artillery assets reflect institutional prioritisation of hybrid warfare," said sources.
These brigades are notorious for collaborating with the groups for logistics, training, and cover fire. 'They are also known for mutilations, beheadings, and drone-enabled weapon drops," said sources.
'They mix conventional artillery with terrorist infiltration, maintaining plausible deniability for Pakistan. They specialise in hybrid warfare, infiltration, and asymmetric tactics. These brigades reflect Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism"
A look at the key brigades:
The Triple-1 brigade, deployed in Keran, Machil, and Tangdhar, is known for overthrowing civilian governments. It facilitated coups by Generals Ayub Khan (1958), Zia-ul-Haq (1977), and Pervez Musharraf (1999). Its proximity to Islamabad and responsibility for securing key installations such as the Prime Minister's residence make them caretaker for quick political takeovers.
infiltration and psychological operations like mutilation of soldiers. They are known for the use of Chinese drones such as Wing Loong II to smuggle weapons into Kashmir and coordinate attacks via Ultras.
212TH INFANTRY BRIGADE: PROXY WARFARE EXPERT
The brigade oversees sectors such as Battal and Poonch, conducting artillery duels and providing cover fire for infiltrators. It supports the LeT and JeM, notably during the 2019 Pulwama attack.
Equipped with Chinese SH-15 howitzers, it is known for targeting Indian posts to distract troops during militant crossings.
Both brigades operate under the guidance of the ISI, receiving logistical and intelligence support.
323RD INFANTRY BRIGADE (KERAN SECTOR): PART OF X CORPS FROM RAWALPINDI
It manages the Keran sector, which is a hotspot for BAT operations. Also coordinates infiltration routes for groups such as LeT and JeM. It is linked to the 2019 Keran infiltration where BATs attempted to ambush Indian posts under artillery cover.
This brigade oversees the Battal sector termed a hot area due to frequent cross-border firing and militant infiltration. It is said to be involved in the 2017 Keri sector ambush where Pakistani troops killed an Indian Major and mutilated soldiers.
This brigade controls the Gurez Valley, a critical infiltration corridor near the Kishanganga River. It supports BAT operations with SSG commandos and LeT militants. It is said to have orchestrated the 2018 Gulpur infiltration attempted where terrorists attempted to breach Indian defences using night-vision gear.
It manages the Tangdhar sector, a strategic area adjacent to the Neelum Valley. It facilitates drone-dropped weapons and encrypted communication for proxy groups. The brigade has been linked to the 2017 Uri sector ambush where BATs killed two Indian soldiers and mutilated their bodies, said sources.
641 MUJAHID BRIGADE (LEEPA VALLEY): PART OF X CORPS FROM RAWALPINDI
It operates in the Leepa Valley, leveraging rugged terrain for covert crossings. The brigade trains militants in guerrilla tactics at camps near Muzaffarabad. It was involved in the 2016 Machil beheading incident where BATs killed and mutilated an Indian soldier, said sources. The brigade collaborates with The Resistance Front (TRF) to stage local resistance attacks.
647 MUJAHID BRIGADE (KUPWARA SECTOR): PART OF X CORPS FROM RAWALPINDI
It guards the Kupwara sector, a historical infiltration route for terrorists. The brigade uses SSG commandos to guide terrorists through riverine gaps. Sources said the brigade was responsible for the 2020 Kupwara ambush where three Indian soldiers were killed in a BAT raid. It is also known for embedding terrorists with local populations to evade detection. The brigade is said to be behind the frequent shelling of villages Battal, Keran, disrupting civilian life, causing casualties and displacement.
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
India-Pakistan ties news18 specials Pahalgam attack Pakistan army
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 02, 2025, 13:03 IST
News world 'Ties With Terrorists, India As Target': The Notorious Pak Army Brigades Along LoC | Exclusive

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
39 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Trump signs order to double steel, aluminium import tariffs to 50%
New Delhi: A 50% tariff on steel and aluminium imports into the United States went into effect on Wednesday, doubling the previous rate as President Donald Trump cited national security concerns for the dramatic escalation in trade protections. The new tariff rates, increased from an earlier 25% rate, were announced by Trump in a statement on Tuesday. The president claimed legal authority to impose the tariffs through Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which allows the president to address national security risks arising from imports. 'In my judgement, the increased tariffs will more effectively counter foreign countries that continue to offload low-priced, excess steel and aluminium in the United States market and thereby undercut the competitiveness of the United States steel and aluminium industries,' read Trump's statement released by the White House. Trump said the earlier 25% tariff rates, first announced in February and implemented on March 12, had helped America's steel industry but had not enabled companies to maintain the capacity needed to meet national defence needs. 'I have determined that increasing the previously imposed tariffs will provide greater support to these industries and reduce or eliminate the national security threat posed by imports of steel and aluminium articles and their derivative articles,' Trump said. The tariff increase comes amid broader trade disputes at the World Trade Organisation. Several countries, including India, have formally challenged the US measures, characterising them as 'safeguard measures' that violate WTO rules and threaten retaliatory action. In May, India formally notified the WTO that it viewed America's tariffs on steel and aluminium as safeguard measures and indicated it could suspend 'concessions and other obligations' given to the US and that it retains the right to enforce retaliatory measures. On May 22, America rejected India's characterisation of the tariffs as safeguard measures and refused to engage in talks on the matter. The introduction of tariffs has proven controversial within the US. The America Iron and Steel Institute, an industry group, has welcomed the increased tariffs as a necessary measure to protect domestic producers from cheaper foreign competition. However, manufacturers using steel as input for production have publicly raised concerns that more expensive steel will impact competitiveness across other domestic industries. For India specifically, the consequences are direct and substantial. According to the Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI), a New Delhi-based research group, India exported $4.56 billion worth of iron, steel, and aluminium products to the US in FY2025, with key categories including $587.5 million in iron and steel, $3.1 billion in articles of iron or steel, and $860 million in aluminium and related articles. 'These exports are now exposed to sharply higher US tariffs, threatening the profitability of Indian producers and exporters,' the GTRI said in a brief.


India.com
40 minutes ago
- India.com
India Eyes Deadliest Missile Yet: Meet R-37M That Can Obliterate Pakistan's AWACS, F-16s Before They Even Fire
New Delhi: In the escalating arms race post-Operation Sindoor, India may be acquiring a game-changing weapon that could rewrite South Asia's air warfare equation. It is Russian R-37M missile, a long-range air-to-air beast so fast and deadly that even the United States and China are known to shudder at its capabilities. Russia is said to have offered India to supply the R-37M and license its production on Indian soil. If the deal goes through, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will gain a powerful edge over adversaries such as China and Pakistan in high-stakes aerial confrontations. The R-37M is considered to be a nightmare for Pakistan's F-16s and AWACS. It is not only a missile but also a jet killer. Built to destroy enemy aircraft from beyond visual range (BVR), it can take down Pakistan's prized F-16s and AWACS surveillance aircraft before they even detect an Indian fighter jet. With speeds of up to Mach 6, six times the speed of sound, the R-37M can strike targets more than 300 kilometers away. Its mid-flight target switch capability and active radar guidance system make it almost impossible to dodge, even for highly maneuverable jets. 'It's not a missile but an airborne predator. It allows India to destroy enemy aircraft without ever entering their strike zone. That flips the entire doctrine of air combat,' said a senior defense analyst. At present, the IAF deploys R-77 missiles on its Su-30MKI jets. But the R-37M could replace the R-77 entirely, offering a dramatic leap in range, speed and precision. Designed originally to target U.S. AWACS and refueling aircraft, the R-37M's induction into India's arsenal would render Pakistan's air surveillance systems deeply vulnerable. Russia is reportedly willing to share production technology, allowing India to manufacture the missile domestically – a huge win for India's 'Make in India' defense ambitions. Built for the kill, let's know the R-37M by the numbers: speed – Up to Mach 6 (7,400 km/h); range – estimated 300-400 km; weight – 510 kg, length – over four metres; warhead – 60 kg high-explosive; designation – NATO calls it the AA-13 Axehead; and targets – fighter jets, AWACS, drones and tanker aircraft. Unlike older systems, the R-37M does not need visual confirmation. It can lock onto targets far outside the enemy's radar or weapon range, hitting them from the safety of stand-off distances. For Indian pilots, this means striking first from far and never being seen. R-37M Can Strike Across LoC The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is heavily reliant on U.S.-made F-16s, which are considered its crown jewel. But defense experts warn that with the R-37M in play, India could shoot them down from across the Line of Control (LoC) before they even know what hit them. 'The R-37M neutralises Pakistan's aerial advantage. If deployed, this missile makes any cross-border intrusion suicidal for enemy jets,' said a retired Air Marshal. As India's defense modernisation accelerates in the wake geopolitical tensions simmer, the R-37M could soon be a centerpiece of the country's air dominance strategy – one that might keep adversaries awake at night.


Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Pak a global threat, terrorism must be exposed: Owaisi
Hyderabad: AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi , who was part of a multi-party delegation sent by the Centre to Gulf countries, said Pakistan has become a global threat by financing and sponsoring terrorism. "Pakistan is the epicentre of Takfirism and terrorism. They have no right to speak on Muslims or Islam," he told reporters, adding that officials in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Algeria shared concerns over terrorism. "Some favoured India-Pakistan dialogue, others stressed the need to eliminate terror. We've done our job—it's now up to the Indian government," he said. Owaisi highlighted that the four nations visited are influential members of groups like the OIC, GCC, and Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force (MENAFATF). He recalled their past support in 2018 when Pakistan was placed on the FATF grey list. "We hope for similar cooperation again," he added. The delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant Panda, urged the Gulf countries to support actions against Pakistan's terror financing networks, many of which are linked to ISI and illegal financial flows. Owaisi stressed unity among Indian political parties on national issues. "There is no politics when it comes to national security. But our political opposition to BJP and RSS ideology will continue. That's the essence of democracy," he said. He demanded a special Parliament session to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack , which killed 26 people. "Was it a security lapse? Who is accountable? The PM must address the nation. If needed, an in-camera Parliament session can be held, as done in the 1960s," he said. On the Pakistan delegation led by Bilawal Bhutto, Owaisi remarked, "Bilawal should tell the world who killed his mother. The UN inquiry report said Pakistan did a shoddy job in investigating her death."