Why in news?

On October 20, suspected militants attacked workers of APCO Infratech, an infrastructure company constructing the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway in Jammu and Kashmir.

Seven workers were killed in this attack, marking the first militant assault on a key infrastructure project in the region. Previously, militants had not targeted such projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

What’s in today’s article?

• Z-Morh tunnel
• Revival of Terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir - analysis

Z-Morh tunnel

• About
  • 
  • The Z-Morh tunnel is a 6.4-kilometer tunnel connecting the Sonamarg health resort with Kangan town in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
  • It is located near Gagangir village, just ahead of Sonamarg, and will ensure all-weather connectivity to the popular tourist destination on the Srinagar-Leh highway.
  • The tunnel gets its name from the Z-shaped road stretch at the construction site.
• Commencement of the project
  • The Z-Morh tunnel project, originally conceived by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in 2012, was initially awarded to Tunnelway Ltd.
  • Later, the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) took over the project.
  • Although expected to be completed by August 2023, the project faced delays.
  • A soft opening took place in February 2024, but the official inauguration was postponed due to the Model Code of Conduct in place for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
• Need for the tunnel
  • The stretch where the tunnel is under construction is situated at an altitude of over 8,500 feet, and is prone to snow avalanches in the winter.
  • The road to Sonamarg as such remains closed for most part of the winter.
• Strategic importance of the Z-Morh tunnel
  • The Z-Morh tunnel, part of the larger Zojila tunnel project, aims to ensure year-round connectivity from Srinagar to Ladakh.
    • The Zojila tunnel, connecting Sonamarg to Drass in Ladakh, is under construction and expected to be completed by December 2026.
  • While the Z-Morh tunnel will provide all-weather access to the Sonamarg health resort, it is crucial for maintaining quick military access to Ladakh.
  • The Z-Morh tunnel is key to enabling all-weather road connectivity between Srinagar, Drass, Kargil, and Leh, reducing dependence on air maintenance for forward military positions.
  • This will improve troop and supply transport, lower costs, and extend the life of aircraft used by the Indian Air Force.
  • The project is vital for Indian defense forces deployed in Siachen and Eastern Ladakh, where tensions with Pakistan and China persist.

Revival of Terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir - analysis

• Recent terror attack on infra project in J&K and the exposing of vulnerabilities
  • The terror attack on workers of APCO Infratech, constructing the Z-Morh tunnel, marks a significant event in Jammu & Kashmir.
  • It reflects the revival of terrorism and points towards a broader strategy aimed at exposing vulnerabilities in the region.
  • The incident suggests a deliberate effort by Pakistan’s deep state to derail peace and stability, especially after the peaceful elections and installation of a democratic government in Srinagar.
    • Deep state is an alleged secret network of especially nonelected government officials and sometimes private entities (as in the financial services and defense industries) operating extralegally to influence and enact government policy
• Pakistan’s Deep State and its Role
• The Pakistani deep state appears determined to re-establish its relevance in J&K by instigating violent events.
• Their goal is to obstruct India's process of stabilizing J&K, particularly after the abrogation of Article 370.
• A strategic terror event like this attack is seen as a way to prevent peace dividends from taking root and ensure continued instability.
• Targeting Peripheral Areas and Infrastructure Projects
  • While traditional urban areas like Srinagar, Anantnag, and Baramulla remain heavily secured, the attackers have shifted focus to peripheral regions with low security.
  • The Z-Morh tunnel, a flagship infrastructure project, requires a large workforce and specialized expertise.
  • The attack may indicate a larger threat to infrastructure projects in J&K’s peripheral regions, such as the Kishanganga project and railway projects in Banihal and Qazigund.
• Possible Chinese angle
  • The People’s Anti-Fascist Front (PAFF), a Pakistani terror group, issued a statement praising The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, for the recent attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed seven civilians.
  • PAFF described the attack as "strategic" and claimed it was meant to disrupt Indian military deployments toward the eastern border, also citing "Chinese friends" as part of their justification.
  • While China and Pakistan have known strategic ties, there is no evidence of Beijing’s involvement so far.
• Broader Pattern of Unusual Activities
  • The attack could be part of a wider scheme targeting India’s emerging strategic confidence.
  • Recent events such as bomb hoaxes, strange blasts, and diplomatic pressure over transnational issues appear connected, signaling a broader attempt to put India on the defensive.
• Conclusion
  • The proxy war in J&K is far from over. While the frequency of violence has decreased, complacency must be avoided, and efforts should focus on combating terror networks, financing, and drug mafias to sustain stability in the region.