How Terror Networks in Jammu and Kashmir Are Using Blackberry Messenger and Other Apps

Recent investigations have uncovered that terrorist networks in Jammu and Kashmir are using Blackberry Messenger and other applications for communication. Following the arrest of key operatives from Lashkar-e-Taiba, officials are concerned about the implications of these technologies on national security. The National Investigation Agency is now involved, tracking the use of various messaging platforms that have been banned due to their association with terrorist activities. This article delves into the challenges posed by these secure communication tools and the ongoing efforts to combat their misuse.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 10, 2026, 18:32 IST

Emerging Threats in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: Recent investigations have revealed that the Blackberry Messenger (BBM) application has re-emerged within the terrorist communication networks in Jammu and Kashmir. This discovery follows the interrogation of a prominent Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative, who indicated that various applications, including some that are prohibited, are being utilized for communication among members, officials reported on Sunday.

Last month, Srinagar police dismantled an LeT module that was attempting to establish bases outside Jammu and Kashmir. This operation led to the arrest of Abdullah, also known as Abu Hureira, a Pakistani national from Kasur, along with another terrorist, Mohammed Usman Jatt, and several Overground Workers (OGWs) in the region.

Given the interstate and international implications of this case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation.

During questioning, Abu Hureira disclosed that he and his associates were using a variety of applications, including BBM, Element, Threema, and Dust, in addition to popular platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Skype, and Signal, according to officials.

BBM first attracted the attention of investigative bodies in 2009, when the Indian government threatened to prohibit its use unless its Canadian manufacturer, Research-In-Motion (RIM), established servers in India for security agency access. The company complied, and servers were set up between 2011 and 2012.

However, in 2019, BBM transitioned to a paid service, BBM Enterprise, aimed at corporate users, discontinuing its free offerings. Following Abu Hureira's revelations, investigators are now tracing the owners of the BBM Enterprise accounts linked to terrorist activities and plan to engage with the service provider.

Despite ongoing surveillance of digital technologies in Jammu and Kashmir since 2016, concerns regarding cybersecurity have escalated.

Officials have consistently highlighted the use of secure messaging apps like Threema, a Swiss-based platform that ensures complete anonymity, making user tracking nearly impossible as it does not require phone numbers or emails.

In May 2023, the Indian government banned 14 messaging applications based on recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs, including Element, a collaboration tool managed by Element Creations Limited in London. This app was specifically targeted due to its use by terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir to evade conventional monitoring.

Similarly, apps like Dust, which allows messages to disappear within 24 hours or after being read, have come under scrutiny for hindering real-time intelligence efforts.

These applications are frequently utilized by terrorist organizations, which often employ Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access them.

The rise of the internet has made social media a powerful medium for communication and information exchange, inadvertently aiding terrorist groups in broadening their networks, officials noted.

Additionally, some individuals posing as extreme nationalists have been identified as having connections to radical organizations, including the banned Jamaat-e-Islami.

The United Nations has consistently raised concerns about terrorist groups exploiting online platforms for propaganda, recruitment, and incitement to violence.

In response to these threats, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2354 in 2017, which promotes a 'Comprehensive International Framework' advocating for legal measures, public-private partnerships, and the creation of counter-narratives.