From LoC, LAC to counter-insurgency grids: How Indian Army troops fight in two worlds | Explained

Indian troops operate in two vastly different warfare environments; on the one hand, they face conventional military engagements along the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. On the other, they confront asymmetric and irregular warfare in insurgency-hit regions such as Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast.

The Indian military has developed a unique combat doctrine that enables its forces to transition seamlessly between high-intensity conventional confrontations and prolonged counter-insurgency operations. This duality in warfare reflects the complex security challenges faced by India and highlights the continuous evolution of its military strategies and operational capabilities.

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Challenges along the Western and Northern Borders

Along the LoC, Indian troops are consistently challenged by cross-border shelling, sniper attacks, and infiltration attempts by Pakistan-backed terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). These adversaries employ covert and overt tactics to destabilise the region and test the resolve of Indian forces. 

In stark contrast, along the LAC, the challenge lies in territorial defence in the high-altitude areas (HAA) where the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China attempts salami-slicing tactics, a method of gradual encroachment through military infrastructure buildup and grey-zone warfare strategies. The PLA unsuccessfully seeks to establish a physical and psychological edge in these austere, mountainous terrains. These attempts have led the Indian military to continually refine its defensive postures and maintain its superiority in high-altitude warfare (HAW) environments.  

Operational strategies along the LoC have centred on counter-infiltration and rapid-response measures. For instance, Operation Rakshak, which was launched in 1990 and remains ongoing, has been one of the most sustained and comprehensive counterinsurgency efforts in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Over the decades, the operation has evolved to tackle different phases of militancy, adapting its strategies to neutralise terrorist threats and avoid collateral damage in civilian-dense environments. 

The operation has played a pivotal role in controlling infiltration attempts. It has established a well-structured counter-insurgency grid that includes regular Army units, Rashtriya Rifles (RR), and even paramilitary forces. Meanwhile, the management of standoffs along the LAC has necessitated the enhancement of logistics, surveillance, and rapid deployment capabilities. The Galwan clash of 2020 and the Tawang skirmish of 2022 highlighted the need for robust rapid-response mechanisms in high-altitude warfare. 

Technology Enhancements and Infrastructure Developments

The Indian Army has integrated advanced technologies such as drones, satellite surveillance, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven battle management systems into its operational framework. Recent developments, including the expansion of the Nyoma Air Base, the construction of all-weather roads, and the establishment of mobile logistics hubs, have further bolstered Indian deployments in these challenging terrains. Additionally, the induction of lighter, high-calibre weapons and improved winter gear has ensured that Indian troops can effectively counter PLA forces in the extreme weather conditions prevalent along the LAC.

Challenges in Counter-insurgency Operations

While conventional warfare dominates the borders, India’s counterinsurgency efforts in J&K and the Northeast present a different set of challenges. In Jammu and Kashmir, insurgents, often backed by Pakistan, employ hit-and-run tactics, hybrid militant operations, and urban terror cell strategies to destabilise the region. Similarly, insurgent groups in the Northeast, such as the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-K (NSCN-K), and PLA Manipur, utilise jungle warfare, ambushes, and extortion networks to wage their campaigns. In both scenarios, the Indian military has adopted a two-pronged operational strategy that combines kinetic operations with efforts to win the hearts and minds of local populations.  

Kinetic operations in the Valley have seen the execution of precise strikes and counter-terror operations, such as Operation All-Out, which has been ongoing since 2017 and has significantly weakened regional terror networks. In the Northeast, a notable incident occurred in 2021 when an ambush on Assam Rifles (a paramilitary force under the aegis of the Home Ministry but under the operational control of the Army and tasked with counter insurgency and border guarding in the Northeast) in Manipur led to joint operations with Myanmar, resulting in the successful neutralisation of insurgents. These operations demonstrate not only the tactical proficiency of Indian forces but also their ability to operate in complex and hostile environments.

Complementing these kinetic measures, the Army has implemented various civic action programs (CAPs) aimed at infrastructure development and grievance redressal, such as the Sadbhavana Program in J&K, which has been instrumental in building trust with local communities. Specialised training provided by institutions like the Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) in Mizoram further enhances the operational readiness of elite counter-insurgency units, including the Rashtriya Rifles (a specialised counter-insurgency force raised by the Indian Army) in the Valley and the Assam Rifles in the Northeast.  

Seamless Transition: Conventional to Irregular Warfare

One of the most remarkable aspects of Indian military strategy is the seamless transition between conventional and irregular warfare. Indian forces are trained to shift between these two distinct mindsets with agility. The Army Chief’s directive in 2025, emphasising “hybrid warfare preparedness”, highlights the integration of cyber, electronic, and psychological warfare into both counter-terror and border operations. 

This doctrinal flexibility is reflected in the customisation of equipment and tactics tailored to the unique demands of each theatre. In conventional settings along the LoC and LAC, troops are equipped with heavy firepower such as artillery, tanks, and missiles and high-tech surveillance systems that ensure real-time situational awareness. Meanwhile, in counter-insurgency grids, Indian forces rely on lighter weaponry, body-worn cameras, drones, and intelligence-driven operations that enable rapid and precise responses to insurgent activities.  

Coordination between the Indian Army and various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), such as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and even the Assam Rifles, which is under the operational command of the army, has further strengthened India’s overall security posture. Improved inter-agency intelligence sharing, particularly post-2019, has led to more synchronised security responses across different theatres. 

This collaborative approach has yielded several successful joint operations. For example, in Manipur in 2024, coordinated efforts between the Indian Army and Manipur Police resulted in the neutralisation of insurgents and the seizure of significant arms caches. Similarly, Operation Sarp Vinash in 2003, a joint operation involving the Army, BSF, and CRPF in J&K, successfully eliminated over 60 terrorists in the Pir Panjal region. 

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Multi-Domain Adaptation

Case studies of multi-domain adaptation further highlight the dynamic nature of Indian military operations. In the Kashmir Valley during 2023-2024, hybrid militancy led to situations where Pakistan-backed terrorists blended into civilian populations. Indian forces responded by deploying real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) technologies combined with quick-reaction ambushes that neutralised emerging threats with precision. In Manipur, ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kukis, also between 2023-2024, necessitated tri-service humanitarian and counterinsurgency operations, showcasing the military’s adaptability in highly volatile environments.  

Indian troops continue to navigate two vastly different battlefields: the conventional war zones of the LoC and LAC and the asymmetric conflict grids of counterinsurgency operations. The military’s ability to train, equip, and strategise flexibly has enabled seamless transitions between these environments, ensuring that Indian forces remain dynamic, technologically superior, and tactically versatile. Investments in AI-driven intelligence, enhanced night warfare capabilities, and improved interoperability between various security agencies are critical for future preparedness. 

As the geopolitical landscape evolves, Indian troops will continue to balance firepower with counterinsurgency finesse, deterrence with engagement, and conventional military doctrines with hybrid warfare tactics. This unique duality in operational strategy secures India’s borders and ensures stability in regions afflicted by internal insurgencies, reflecting the comprehensive and forward-thinking approach of the Indian armed forces.

(Ashu Maan is an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies. He is currently pursuing his PhD from Amity University, Noida, in Defence and Strategic Studies.)