More than 150 terrorists abandon insurgency in North-East

More than 150 terrorists, including commanders, fighters and affiliates, have surrendered to troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, within the past week, according to the military.

The latest figure marks a sharp rise from the more than 50 terrorists who surrendered during the preceding week, highlighting increased pressure on terrorist networks operating in the North-East.

Acting Military Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said the development followed sustained intelligence-driven operations, intensified military action and a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic measures designed to weaken terrorist groups and persuade their members to abandon the insurgency.

“The significant increase reflects the cumulative impact of sustained intelligence-led operations, intensified military pressure and coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic efforts aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and encouraging voluntary disengagement from terrorism,” he said.

Goni said the pressure was increasingly affecting terrorist formations, restricting their movement and disrupting their logistics, supply routes and ability to retain fighters within their enclaves.

He added that some of those who surrendered handed over weapons and ammunition, which he said provided further evidence of the impact of military operations on the groups.

According to him, Operation Hadin Kai’s strategy combines intelligence-led action with strategic communication, civil-military engagement and other non-kinetic measures to disrupt terrorist activities and weaken their support structures.

Goni said the approach was also helping to counter terrorist narratives and persuade more members to abandon the groups.

He described strategic communication as a key component of the military’s campaign, particularly in reaching individuals prepared to renounce terrorism and informing them of the consequences of remaining with terrorist organisations.

He said all those who surrendered had been profiled and documented and were being handled in line with established procedures and applicable laws.

The theatre command, he added, would build on the current momentum to encourage further defections while undermining terrorist recruitment and sustainment networks.

The Military High Command commended the troops for their resilience, discipline and operational effectiveness, urging them to maintain pressure on terrorist elements and restrict their freedom of action across the theatre.

“Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mission to sustain pressure on terrorist networks, disrupt their capabilities and support structures, protect civilians and create the conditions necessary for the restoration of lasting peace, security and normalcy across the North-East region,” he said.