Use of M4 Carbine Assault Rifles in Terror Attacks in J&K: A Cause of Concern

The recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir have raised concerns among experts about the increasing use of American-made M4 carbine assault rifles by terrorists in the region. The M4 carbine is a lightweight, gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, and shoulder-fired weapon that has been in service since 1994. It is known for its high rate of fire and effective firing range, making it a formidable weapon in the hands of terrorists.

The M4 carbine was designed and developed in the 1980s and has been used extensively by NATO forces, including Pakistani special forces and the Special Security Unit of the Sindh Police. Its popularity can be attributed to its greater maneuverability, which has made it a favorite among militaries and terrorist groups alike. The rifle has been used in several conflicts, including the Syrian civil war, Iraqi civil war, Yemeni civil war, Colombian conflict, Kosovo war, and Iraq and Afghanistan war after 9/11.

Experts believe that the frequent use of M4 carbine rifles by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir is a consequence of the US Army leaving behind arms and ammunition while pulling out from Afghanistan in 2021. Defence expert Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni, who has served in Jammu and Kashmir during his tenure in the Indian Army, believes that the US Army’s leftover weapons have fallen into the hands of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is using them to train terrorists.

The M4 carbine rifle has steel bullets that have definite penetration and are generally not used because they come under various kinds of restrictions. However, the Americans have left behind huge piles of ammunition in Afghanistan, which are far more sophisticated. This has made it easier for the ISI to obtain these weapons and use them to further their nefarious designs in Jammu and Kashmir.

The first instance of recovery of the M4 carbine rifle in Jammu and Kashmir was reported in 2017, when a nephew of Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar was killed in a gunfight in Pulwama district. Since then, the weapon has been recovered several times, including in 2018 and 2022. Recently, the M4 carbine was reportedly used in all the major attacks in the Jammu region, including the Kathua attack on July 8, in which five soldiers were ambushed to death.

Shesh Paul Vaid, former Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police, believes that the use of M4 carbine rifles by terrorists is a recent phenomenon and has largely occurred after the US Army left its arms in Afghanistan. He hopes that security forces will effectively deal with the challenge posed by these sophisticated weapons.

The use of M4 carbine rifles by terrorists increases the probability of casualties and makes people even in bulletproof vehicles vulnerable. The security forces and J-K Police have been facing this challenge for many years and will continue to do so in the future. Experts believe that the forces will need to take measures to face such situations where their enemy is equipped with such sophisticated weapons.

In conclusion, the use of M4 carbine assault rifles in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir is a cause of concern and highlights the need for the security forces to be equipped with the latest technology and training to counter the threat posed by these weapons.

Historical Context:

The M4 carbine rifle has been in service since 1994 and has been used extensively by NATO forces, including Pakistani special forces and the Special Security Unit of the Sindh Police. It was designed and developed in the 1980s and has been used in several conflicts, including the Syrian civil war, Iraqi civil war, Yemeni civil war, Colombian conflict, Kosovo war, and Iraq and Afghanistan war after 9/11.

The US Army’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has raised concerns about the potential fall-out of arms and ammunition left behind. The US Army’s leftover weapons have fallen into the hands of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is using them to train terrorists.

The first instance of recovery of the M4 carbine rifle in Jammu and Kashmir was reported in 2017, when a nephew of Jaish-e-Muhammad chief Masood Azhar was killed in a gunfight in Pulwama district. Since then, the weapon has been recovered several times, including in 2018 and 2022.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The use of M4 carbine assault rifles by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir is a cause of concern among experts. • The M4 carbine is a lightweight, gas-operated, air-cooled, magazine-fed, and shoulder-fired weapon with a high rate of fire and effective firing range. • The weapon was designed and developed in the 1980s and has been used extensively by NATO forces, including Pakistani special forces and the Special Security Unit of the Sindh Police. • The US Army’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 has left behind arms and ammunition, which have fallen into the hands of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is using them to train terrorists. • The M4 carbine rifle has been recovered several times in Jammu and Kashmir, including in 2017, 2018, and 2022. • The weapon has been used in all major attacks in the Jammu region, including the Kathua attack on July 8, in which five soldiers were ambushed to death. • The use of M4 carbine rifles by terrorists increases the probability of casualties and makes people even in bulletproof vehicles vulnerable. • Experts believe that the security forces will need to take measures to face situations where their enemy is equipped with sophisticated weapons. • The use of M4 carbine assault rifles in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir highlights the need for the security forces to be equipped with the latest technology and training to counter the threat posed by these weapons.