Bridging the gap between the forces and the people of Jammu & Kashmir is a story of change, endurance, and the victory of human relations over doubt. The country's armed forces are its sentinels, guardians, and defenders, safeguarding the nation's integrity so its people can live in peace. In India, the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force have defended borders, watched over the seas, and undertaken daring operations to ensure security. We sleep peacefully because of their vigilance. The recent Operation Sindoor proved this: while our soldiers faced tests on borders, defended mountain passes, monitored the seas, and patrolled the skies, we slept peacefully, prayed for their safety, and praised their valour.

In Kashmir, the relationship between security forces and the local people has been particularly complex. Since the late 1980s, following political unrest that erupted after the rigged 1987 state elections, a deep psychological divide has developed. Youth, influenced by militant ideology and extremist groups, took up arms; families found themselves caught in the middle; and paranoia grew among the Indian government, the Indian Army, and some segments of the local population. The nearly 35 years have been marked by persistent militancy, cross-border infiltrations, civilian hardship, and propaganda portraying the Army as an occupation force rather than a protector.
Over the past decade, the valley has experienced a noticeable and deep transformation. Today, the Army is seen by many locals not as a distant authority but as a familiar and respected ally. Soldiers are now sought for help, students greet them warmly at events, and many openly admire their bravery. This change did not happen by chance; it resulted from deliberate and coordinated efforts by the forces, local administration, and the people to rebuild trust and heal wounds. The Army realised that the people of Jammu & Kashmir wanted more than security; they sought empathy, dignity, and compassion. Instead of only defending borders, their initiatives shifted toward winning hearts and minds.
Through programs such as Operation Sadbhavana, the Army established schools, awarded scholarships, and provided quality education to children in remote areas. Free medical services were available through medical camps in villages lacking basic healthcare. Military doctors treated the elderly, vaccinated infants, and, during bad weather, accompanied pregnant women over snowy roads for safe delivery. Skill training centers taught new skills such as computers, tailoring, carpentry, and handicrafts, helping them earn a livelihood. Sports activities in football, cricket, volleyball, and winter sports gave youngsters a sense of purpose and pride, while cultural exchange programs offered them a chance to look beyond the valley.
The Army's role as a first responder during disasters strengthened this bond. During the 2014 floods, when Srinagar was inundated, Army boats and choppers ferried thousands. Roads were cleared, rations distributed, and the ill evacuated during snowstorms. Villagers remember Jawans wading up to their knees in snow to carry patients on makeshift stretchers. These acts, often off-camera, left lasting impressions and shifted the Army's image from merely an enforcement body to one of care.
The increasing coordination between security agencies, civil administration, and society has been essential. Panchayats, teachers, and elderly people have joined with security forces to identify local needs, discourage youth from drugs, radicalism, and militancy, and promote peace. As before, more civilians now report suspicious activities to security agencies, showing a level of trust unthinkable during the peak of the insurgency years. Many Kashmiri youths have also chosen to join the Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police; even women have got special reservations in security, and women battalions have been established, becoming the guardians of their homeland.
There is symbolism in the small, everyday gestures that define this new era. Soldiers play cricket with kids in villages during patrol breaks; villagers invite them home for tea; officers attend village weddings and funerals to show solidarity. These encounters, though simple on the surface, gradually diminish decades of distrust and foster familiarity and respect. Even in crowded bazaars of central Srinagar or in remote hamlets of Kupwara and Kulgam, interactions are warmer, conversations are more open, and hostility feels less intense.
Tourism, which is vital to Kashmir's economy, has also gained from this new dynamic. Troops now guide tourists safely through dangerous mountain passes, help restore trekking trails, and assist stranded travellers. This positive impact on saving lives and livelihoods enhances the Army's reputation as a force for progress rather than obstruction.
Although problems remain, including attempts at cross-border infiltration, militancy enclaves, and ongoing propaganda, the overall trend is positive. The relationship between the people and the forces is shifting from guarded coexistence to positive partnership. In the process, the soldier is no longer merely a gun-toting man but a teacher, doctor, saviour, guide, and friend. This is not a relationship based on fear but on trust, which has been developed through mutual struggle and success.
Sealing this divide has not required more military strategies; it has required patience, understanding, and a human touch. From the tense days of the 1990s, when the valley was deeply polarized, to today, when an Army officer may escort a newborn to safety or distribute blankets during a snowstorm, the change is both symbolic and genuine. It is a story of the people's trust in those willing to heal and the forces' willingness to listen. While the past was marked by mistrust, the future is built on respect, and tomorrow promises a partnership where both work towards peace, security, and a shared vision of a thriving Jammu & Kashmir.

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