Use of M4 Carbine Rifles in Jammu and Kashmir Terror Attacks : Experts

In recent years, the use of American-made M4 carbine assault rifles by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has become an alarming trend. These weapons, believed to have been left behind by the US Army during its withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, are now finding their way into the hands of militants through Pakistani handlers. Experts are raising concerns about the increasing frequency of these sophisticated firearms in terror activities across the region.

The M4 carbine is a lightweight, gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, shoulder-fired weapon with a collapsible stock. Introduced in 1994, it has been widely used by NATO forces and other militaries around the world. The M4 has seen extensive use in various conflicts, including the Syrian Civil War, Iraqi Civil War, Yemeni Civil War, Colombian Conflict, Kosovo War, and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars post-9/11. With a cyclic rate of fire of 700-970 rounds per minute and an effective range of 500-600 meters, the M4 carbine is a formidable weapon.

The first instance of the M4 carbine being recovered in J&K was in November 2017, when Talha Rasheed Masood, a nephew of Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar, was killed in a gunfight in Pulwama district. Since then, the weapon has been recovered multiple times from various encounters, including in 2018 from another nephew of Azhar, Usman Ibrahim, and more recently in July 2022 from Jaish-e-Muhammad commander Kaiser Koka in Awantipora.

The trend of M4 carbines appearing in J&K has raised concerns among security experts. Defence expert Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni highlights that the US Army's leftover weapons in Afghanistan have likely been seized by terrorists with the help of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). These sophisticated weapons, including the M4, are now being used to train and arm militants in J&K, posing a significant threat to security forces and civilians alike.

Former Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Shesh Paul Vaid, noted that the use of M4 rifles by terrorists was not prevalent during his tenure from December 2016 to September 2018. He attributes the rise in their usage to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, which left behind a substantial cache of arms and ammunition.

Recent attacks in the Jammu region, including the Kathua attack on July 8, 2023, where five soldiers were ambushed and killed, and the Reasi attack on June 9, 2023, which left nine people dead and 41 injured, have seen the reported use of M4 carbines. In June 2023, an M4 rifle and a large cache of arms were recovered from a terrorist killed in Doda district. Additionally, the People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), which claimed responsibility for the Poonch terror attack in December 2023, showcased M4 carbines on social media.

Experts like Vaid acknowledge the increased danger posed by these sophisticated weapons. The steel bullets of the M4 have higher penetration capabilities, making even bulletproof vehicles vulnerable. Despite this, Vaid expresses confidence that the security forces and J&K Police, who have faced numerous challenges over the years, will adapt and implement effective measures to counter this new threat.

The use of M4 carbine assault rifles in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir underscores the evolving nature of the threat faced by the region. As militants gain access to more sophisticated weaponry, the need for enhanced security measures and vigilant intelligence operations becomes increasingly critical to ensure the safety and security of both civilians and military personnel.