2019 · GS Paper 3 · Q9 · 10 marks
The banning of 'Jamaat-e-Islami' in Jammu and Kashmir brought into focus the role of over-ground workers (OGWs) in assisting terrorist organizations. Examine the role played by OGWs in assisting terrorist organizations in insurgency affected areas. Discuss measures to neutralize influence of OGWs.
In short
Over-ground workers sustain insurgency by providing shelter, intelligence, money and recruits, and are best neutralised by legal and financial squeezes combined with de-radicalisation and trust-building. In June 2025 the NIA arrested two Pahalgam residents for sheltering the terrorists who killed 26 people there.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 284 words
Logistics and shelter
OGWs run safe houses and move weapons; in June 2025 the NIA arrested two Pahalgam residents for sheltering the attackers who killed 26 people.
Intelligence and cover
They track security forces, warn militants of search operations and have gathered stone-pelting crowds at encounter sites to help them escape.
Finance and recruitment
They route hawala money, misused cross-LoC trade until its suspension in 2019, collect extortion "taxes" for Northeast insurgents, and radicalise youth, many of whom become unlisted "hybrid" militants.
Legal squeeze
The UAPA, amended in 2019 to designate individuals, now lists 46 organisations and 57 individuals (MHA UAPA schedules, September 2026), and Article 311(2)(c) dismissals remove OGWs from government jobs.
Choking finance
FIU-IND tracking, property attachment and hawala probes by the NIA and J&K's State Investigation Agency cut the money supply.
Network-centric intelligence
Mapping OGW chains through the Multi Agency Centre must go with due process, so that innocent families are not alienated.
Winning hearts and minds
De-radicalisation, Operation Sadbhavana, Himayat skilling and a surrender-and-rehabilitation route offer recruits a way back.
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Extremism17 questions
Asked in 11 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2026Separatist movements have been one of the major factors contributing to militancy and instability in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). Bring out actions taken by the Government to bring J&K into national mainstream. Discuss pre and post abrogation status of Articles 370 and 35A. Also bring out positive impacts of abrogation of both articles in mainstreaming the state. (Answer in 250 words)
- 2025The Government of India recently stated that Left Wing Extremism (LWE) will be eliminated by 2026. What do you understand by LWE and how are the people affected by it ? What measures have been taken by the government to eliminate LWE ?
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2019 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.