New Delhi: Indian intelligence and security agencies have flagged a renewed attempt by Pakistan-based handlers to lure residents of Jammu and Kashmir into crossing over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan, raising concerns of a possible revival of tactics last seen during the peak of militancy in the 1990s.

Officials said the trend, which had largely subsided over the past two decades, appears to be resurfacing, prompting a fresh crackdown by security agencies. Recent action by the Poonch Police included the attachment of properties belonging to Pakistan-based terror handlers Rafiq Nai and Jamal Lone, both accused of facilitating infiltration and encouraging locals to exfiltrate into PoK.

According to police records, Lone had himself crossed over into PoK earlier and has since been involved in anti-India activities. Intelligence officials said Pakistan’s security establishment is seeking to increase the presence of locals from Jammu and Kashmir in PoK and Pakistan, where they are being recruited for a range of illegal activities.

These individuals are being used for narcotics smuggling, counterfeiting, and to assist terrorist groups by acting as guides for infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir, an official said, adding that the ISI is actively looking for terrain-savvy locals to support terror operations.

Intelligence agencies have also reported that, similar to the 1990s, announcements are being made from mosques across the border to lure residents with promises of money and better livelihoods. While officials said the scale of the current push is smaller than in the past, they described it as a “desperate and sustained attempt” to revive exfiltration networks.

An Intelligence Bureau official said many who crossed over in earlier years later regretted the decision and sought assistance from Indian authorities to return. In several cases, India facilitated their return and placed them in rehabilitation camps before reintegrating them into mainstream society, the official said.

Agencies warned that if left unchecked, the renewed exfiltration drive could pose serious security challenges. Unlike earlier attempts driven largely by economic incentives, the current push relies heavily on propaganda and disinformation, with social media emerging as a key tool.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, India launched Operation Sindoor, dealing a significant blow to terror outfits such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. Since then, infiltration by Pakistan-based terrorists has become increasingly difficult.

In response, officials said, the ISI has altered its strategy, shifting focus towards home-grown terror modules and localised support networks instead of direct infiltration. Efforts are also underway to expand Over Ground Worker (OGW) modules, including the recruitment of women.

The renewed push to pull locals out of Jammu and Kashmir is part of this localisation strategy, an Intelligence Bureau official said, noting that people from border areas, particularly the Poonch-Rajouri sector, are being targeted due to their familiarity with the terrain.