New Delhi, Sept 9: Investigating agencies have launched an in-depth probe into a series of threat letters issued in Jammu and Kashmir, with a particular focus on the digital trail and possible local links behind the circulation of the messages targeting government employees, especially Kashmiri Pandits.
The letters have been issued by the United Liberation Council (ULC), which agencies describe as a proxy outfit of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). Four such threat letters were circulated in August, raising concerns among security agencies over the increasing frequency of the intimidation campaign.
On August 7, a ULC letter, purportedly signed by Ahmad Bilal, who identifies himself as the outfit's media coordinator, threatened Kashmiri Pandit government employees appointed under the Prime Minister's Special Package. The letter reportedly carried their names, phone numbers and addresses and also issued threats against the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
A similar letter was issued on August 23, but this time it also contained the vehicle registration numbers of the targeted employees. Two more letters followed towards the end of August, carrying similar threats and personal details of government employees, besides warnings to locals working with the J&K Police.
Officials said tracing the digital origins of the letters is now a key part of the investigation. While the preliminary assessment suggests that the messages originated from Pakistan, agencies are also examining the possibility of an intelligence operative operating from within India to maintain plausible deniability for Pakistan.
An Intelligence Bureau official said the frequency of the threats was particularly concerning, noting that similar letters had surfaced in the past but not at such regular intervals.
Officials are examining multiple possibilities behind the increased frequency. One theory is that the campaign is intended to compensate for the declining willingness of local elements to carry out attacks against Kashmiri Pandits and other non-locals.
Another possibility being examined is that the letters are part of a psychological warfare campaign aimed at keeping security agencies under pressure while creating fear and uncertainty among residents.
An official said significant changes had taken place in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370, with migrant workers finding employment in the region, Kashmiri Pandits returning and taking up government jobs, and locals increasingly moving towards businesses and tourism rather than supporting militancy and stone-pelting.
According to officials, the ULC may be attempting to reverse these developments by using repeated threats to create fear among residents and influence public sentiment in favour of Pakistan's narrative on Jammu and Kashmir.
The ULC is described by agencies as an online-based proxy organisation allegedly created to conduct psychological warfare and intimidation campaigns.
Investigators are also examining the possibility of a local network facilitating the campaign. Officials said the detailed personal information contained in the letters—including addresses, phone numbers and vehicle registration details—would be difficult to obtain without assistance from someone with access to such information.
The identification of any local link could prove crucial in establishing the ULC's network, operational area and modus operandi, officials said.
Agencies are also trying to determine how the threats are being circulated within Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from online dissemination, physical copies of the letters have reportedly also been circulated in the region.
Officials said that while tracing the digital footprint and identifying local facilitators remain key priorities, agencies are simultaneously verifying the authenticity and credibility of the threat letters.
